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Short Instructions 

FOR THE 

Sundays of the Year 

By Rev. P. Baker 

* 

ENLARGED AND EDITED 
BY 

Rev. William T. Conklin 



*** 



NEW YORK 

CHRISTIAN PRESS ASSOCIATION PUBLISHING 

COMPANY 

26 BARCLAY STREET 
1906 



LIBRARY of CONGRF.SS 
Two Copies Received 

Jt/N 26 1906 

Copyright Entry 

>,,*Xc. No, 




3 X 175(0 

J 3 3 85 



Hlbil ©batat- 



Remigius Lafort, S. T. L. 

Censor Librorum, 



Imprimatur* 

* JOHN M. FARLEY, D.D., 

Archbishop of New York. 

May 1st, 1906. 
Imprimatur* 

^ CHARLES E. MCDONNELL, D.D., 

Bishop of Brooklyn. 

May 10th, 1906. 



Copyrighted, 1906, 

BY 

CHRISTIAN PRESS ASSOCIATION PUBLISHING COMPANY. 



€o 0£arp 



THE IMMACULATE MOTHER OF GOD, 
MY CONSOLATION IN AFFLICTION, 
AND MY ADVOCATE ALWAYS, THIS 
LITTLE VOLUME IS AFFECTIONATELY 
DEDICATED BY THE EDITOR, 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

First Sunday of Advent. 7 

Second Sunday of Advent 12 

Third Sunday of Advent 20 

Fourth Sunday of Advent 28 

Christmas Day 36 

Sunday within the Octave of Christmas 46 

Feast of the Epiphany 55 

First Sunday after Epiphany 63 

Second Sunday after Epiphany 73 

Third Sunday after Epiphany 83 

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany 92 

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany 101 

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany 109 

Septuagesima Sunday 117 

Sexagesima Sunday 125 

Quinquagesima Sunday 134 

First Sunday of Lent 144 

Second Sunday of Lent 151 

Third Sunday of Lent 159 

Fourth Sunday of Lent 166 

Fifth Sunday of Lent, or Passion Sunday 174 

Palm Sunday 182 

Easter Sunday, 193 

First Sunday after Easter. 201 

Second Sunday after Easter 208 



CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Third Sunday after Easter 213 

Fourth Sunday after Easter 219 

Fifth Sunday after Easter 225 

Sixth Sunday after Easter 232 

Pentecost, or Whitsunday 237 

First Sunday after Pentecost, or Trinity Sunday. . . 245 

Second Sunday after Pentecost 251 

Third Sunday after Pentecost 257 

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost 263 

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost 268 

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost 274 

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost 279 

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost 283 

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost - 288 

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost 294 

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost 298 

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost 302 

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost 307 

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost 312 

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost 317 

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost 322 

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost 328 

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost 334 

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost 339 

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost 345 

Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost . 351 

Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost 357 

Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost 363 

Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost 368 



1 



FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT. 

Gospel. — Luke xxi. 25-33. 

At that time : Jesus said to his disciples : 
There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, 
and in the stars : and upon the earth distress of 
nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring 
of the sea and of the waves ; men withering away 
for fear, and expectation of what shall come upon 
the whole world. For the powers of heaven shall 
be moved ; and then they shall see the Son of man 
coming in a cloud, with great power and majesty. 
But when these things begin to come to pass, 
look up, and lift up your heads, because your re- 
demption is at hand. And he spoke to them a 
similitude. See the fig tree, and all the trees : 
when they now shoot forth their fruit, you know 
that summer is nigh ; so you also, when you shall 
see these things come to pass, know that the 
kingdom of God is at hand. Amen, I say to you, 
this generation shall not pass away, till all things 
be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, 
but my words shall not pass away. 

7 



8 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 



INSTRUCTION. 

Holy mother Church, wise beyond all human 
wisdom, inspired by her Divine Spouse and 
Founder, bids us this day meditate deeply on the 
word-picture painted by our Lord, in which he 
graphically depicts the events that are to precede 
and accompany that awful day commonly known 
as the day of the last judgment. 

While the votaries of the world are preparing 
for the merry Christmastide, she bids us look 
down deep into our hearts, to learn if they would 
be fit dwelling-places for the Savior of mankind. 
She would have us look upon him to-day, not as 
the lowly Babe of Bethlehem, but as the Judge 
who shall judge justices, as the one to whom all, 
even our most secret sins are known, and from 
the rigors of whose justice none may hope to es- 
cape. She bids us prepare the way of the Lord. 
She tells us by the mouth of her ministers, that 
another ecclesiastical year begins to-day, and she 
would have each and every one of us take a re- 
trospective glance at the past. The past has 
been our own, and how have we spent it? Have 
our lives been such, that the awful picture so 
graphically described in the gospel, can have no 
terror for us ? In tho past we have admired the 
Babe of Bethlehem for his humility. We have 



n 



FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT. 9 

often cried out, as did the Jews: Drop down 
dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds 
rain the Just One. That cry has been heard. 
The longing of our hearts has been satisfied. 
Christ, the Savior, has often left his heavenly 
abode, and has come down into our hearts, and 
has showered upon us countless graces and 
blessings. He has granted us health and strength 
with which to enjoy many a merry Christmas, 
but, ere another will have passed, we may be 
called upon to meet him, not as a lowly babe, but 
as the Son of man, coming in a cloud with great 
power and majesty, to demand from us a rigorous 
accounting of all our thoughts, words, deeds, and 
omissions. 

And when you shall be judged, on which side 
of the Great Judge will you be placed ? On the 
right, with those who are continually singing the 
praises of God ? or, on the left, with those who 
with fear and trembling cry out : Ye mountains 
fall upon us, and hide us from the wrath of an 
offended God. 

The thought that we may be on the left hand 
of God — amongst those who are to be damned for 
all eternity, seems to freeze our hearts with terror, 
and we almost instinctively close our eyes to shut 
out the awful picture. And, yet, we all know 
that as we live, so shall we die, that as the tree 
falls, so shall it lie. If, then, we have a dread of 



10 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

the second coming of Christ, it is because of the 
sinfulness of our past lives. Sin is the one thing 
that makes judgment terrible. But this is the 
acceptable time — this is the day of salvation. 
The night is passed, the day is at hand. Let us 
therefore, cast off the works of darkness, and put 
on our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us rouse ourselves 
from the sleep of sin. Let us begin to prepare, 
for, the kingdom of God is at hand. 

Yea, truly, is the kingdom of God at hand. In 
a few short weeks our Lord will be born again in 
the stable, but will he be born in your hearts ? 
Are you not going to arouse from sleep ? Will 
you not prepare in a fitting and becoming manner 
for the coming of the Savior ? Will you not listen 
to the cry that he sends to you by the mouth of 
his accredited minister, and make at least one 
sacramental confession during this holy season, 
in order that you may meet him at his first 
coming? And, whilst preparing for his first 
coming, be not unmindful of the second, for at 
what hour you think not, the Son of man will 
come. Are you prepared to meet him ? If he 
were to call you at this moment, would you be 
prepared to undergo his rigorous judgment? I 
fear that many of you, if you were to examine 
yourselves carefully, would say that you are not. 
If you would not wish to meet your Judge, it is 
because your souls are stained with sin. Penance, 



FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT. H 

and penance only, can make your souls pleasing 
in the sight of God, and so it behooves those who 
are at enmity with Christ, to do penance, for the 
kingdom of God is at hand. 

PRAYER. 

My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who didst 
for four thousand years prepare for thy first 
coming into the world, give me the grace to fol- 
low thy example, so that I may prepare during 
the holy Advent season, for thy coming at 
Christmas. 

I fully realize, that the only reason that you 
deferred your coming into this world, was that 
mankind was not prepared for it, and I fear that 
I will not be prepared for your coming unless I 
do penance for my past transgressions My life, 
O, Lord, has been very much like that of the 
Jews of old. In the days of my youth, and 
health, and prosperity, I have wandered far from 
thee. I have turned a deaf ear to the warning 
cry of your spouse, the Church, as did the Jews 
to your Prophets and the Patriarchs. You have 
inundated my soul with choicest graces. You 
have done all in your power to recall me from my 
sinful ways, but heretofore I have been unheed- 
ful of your warnings. Touch my soul, O my 
Divine Savior, with thy all-saving grace. Cause 
me to heed the warning which our holy mother 



12 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

Church reads for me this day. Fill my mind 
with the terrors of the last — that awful judg- 
ment, so that meditating upon its rigors I may 
be turned from my sinful ways, and may be 
brought back to the straight and narrow path 
which leads to heaven. Give me the grace to do 
penance for my sins ; grace to feel that now is 
the acceptable time, the day of salvation. Help 
me by thy grace, so that when the Christmas 
day shall come, I may be able to sing with the 
heavenly choirs, which surround you in the 
lowly stable. Glory to God in the highest, and 
peace on earth to men of good- will. 



SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT. 

Gospel. — Matthew xi. 2-10. 

At that time : When John had heard in prison 
the works of Christ, sending two of his disciples, 
he said to him : Art thou he that art to come, or 
do we look for another? And Jesus making 
answer said to them : Go and relate to John 
what ye have heard and seen. The blind see, the 
lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, 
the dead rise again, the poor have the gospel 
preached to them : and blessed is he that shall 
not be scandalized in me. And when they went 
their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes 



SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT. 13 

concerning John: What went ye out into the 
desert to see? a reed shaken with the wind? 
But what went yet out to see ? a man clothed in 
soft garments ? Behold, they that are clothed in 
soft garments are in the houses of kings. But 
what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I 
tell you, and more than a prophet. For this is 
he of whom it is written : Behold, I send my 
angel before thy face, who shall prepare thy way 
before thee. 

INSTRUCTION. 

In concluding the testimony that he was giv- 
ing concerning John, our Divine Savior said: 
For this is he of whom it is written : Behold, I 
send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare 
thy way before thee. 

A moments reflection will enable us to make 
a personal application of these words. A little 
thought will show us that God, by his Church — 
by his priests — by the voice of conscience through 
which he speaks to each and every one of us — 
by his grace by which he moves us to do good 
and avoid evil — by his countless holy inspirations 
— in divers ways, and in a wonderful manner — 
sends his angel before our face to prepare the 
way before us. And whither shall the way 
lead ? To heaven ; to the Beatific Vision ; to the 
enjoyment of God forever and forever. By the 



14 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

Scriptures, through which St. Paul assures us 
we may have hope ; by his holy Church and her 
teachings through which Christ himself speaks 
to us ; by our Guardian Angels, God points out 
to us the way we are to pursue if we would 
attain eternal life. 

But there is none so blind as he who will not 
see: none so deaf as he who will not hear. Holy 
mother Church has held up for our imitation St. 
John the Baptist, crying out to us in the words 
of the Prophet : I am the voice of one crying 
out in the wilderness : Prepare ye the way of the 
Lord; make straight his path. We have seen 
with our mind's eye the precursor of God, thin, 
wan, emaciated from his long fasting ; we have 
seen him clothed, not in fine raiment, but in the 
coarsest of dress: we have heard his soul- 
piercing cry ; but we have turned our eyes from 
him, we have hardened our hearts against his 
appeal to prepare the way of the Lord. By our 
conduct, might we not be compared to the 
notorious, the infamous Herod, who listened 
with pleasure to St. John, but obeyed him not ? 
True it is that there is none of us as wicked as 
he, but in a sense do we not emulate his exam- 
ple ? The Church has cried out to us year in and 
year out to do penance, for the kingdom of God 
is at hand, but have we changed our lives for the 
better ? Could not the words of holy Scripture 



SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT. 15 

be applied to many of us : The perverse are 
hard to be corrected ? 

The testimony that Christ bore to St. John 
might be said to be a reward for the testimony 
which John had given of him. And what a 
lesson the conduct of the Savior should be for 
us. Here we see the Savior of mankind return- 
ing good for good. But was St. John an excep- 
tion to this? Was not the testimony on the 
part of Christ but a repetition of many like 
testimonies ? Had not God shown by his treat- 
ment of his chosen people that he was always 
willing to bear testimony to man's good acts, and 
to reward him liberally for them? But how 
differently mankind acts towards not only the 
Almighty, but towards their fellow-men. Recall 
the base ingratitude of the Jews, and does not 
their conduct show that man as a general rule 
rarely returns good for good. Consult your own 
experience, and what will you find ? Will it not 
convince you that man is likely to be unmindful 
of any acts of kindness shown to him, but that he 
is likely to treasure up for years the thought of 
any injustice done to him, and to be ever ready 
to return evil for evil ? As a rule, we forget 
nothing quicker than acts of kindness : we think 
not of past favors, but look for favors to come. 
We rarely thank the Almighty for his past 
graces, but are constantly asking him for future 



16 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

favors. And so, too, in our conduct towards our 
fellow-men : Eaten bread is soon forgotten. We 
wish others to say nothing save what is good 
about us, but we are more inclined to speak 
ill than well of others. Let us then try to profit 
by the example of the Savior, and when occasion 
offers bear testimony in favor, not only of our 
friends, but even of our enemies, for charity 
covers a multitude of sins. 

And when they went their way, Jesus began 
to say to the multitude concerning John : What 
went ye into the desert to see ? A reed shaken 
with the wind ? No, a thousand times, no. 
John was not a reed to be shaken by the wind, 
but rather, was a giant, majestic oak, towering 
high above his fellow-men in perfection and 
virtue ; defying the storm of the incestuous 
Herod, and the lightning of the very devil him- 
self. He withstood all the assaults made upon 
him by the devil, the world and the flesh. He 
was constant in season and out of season ; never 
faltering, never wavering, but always following 
the commands of God. Ever ready when occa- 
sion required to denounce vice, even in high 
places, and to cry out: Do penance, for the 
kingdom of God is at hand. 

But how differently do we act. How aptly the 
term reed could be applied to most of us. How 
inconstant in virtue are we: how wavering in 



SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT. 1? 

our good resolutions. The slightest temptation 
oftentimes tends to overthrow all our good reso- 
lutions. In this, the penitential season of Advent, 
we are wont to make good resolutions: we are 
resolved to give up that particular occasion of sin, 
to correct this pet vice. But, hardly are our 
resolutions formed when the devil tempts us, and 
like a reed shaken by the wind, we are turned 
from our good resolve. A boon companion notices 
that we are trying to lead a good life, and he 
scoffs at us; publicly ridicules us, and like a reed 
we bow to his superior will and depart from the 
narrow path which leads to glory and seek out 
the broad path which leads to eternal damnation. 
Would to God, that like John, we would be not 
weak reeds, but giant oaks, ready and willing to 
defy the assaults of the devil and his emissaries, 
who are oftentimes none other than our so-called 
friends. 

But what went you out to see? A man clothed 
in soft garments? Behold, they that are clothed in 
soft garments are in the houses of kings. And 
would that it were true that in this our day those 
clothed in soft garments were only in the palaces 
of kings. People in soft garments are now found 
in every station of life. Extravagance, not only 
in dress, but in our mode of living is daily on the 
increase. God alone knows how many of us who 
pose as good Christians — as practical Catholics — 



18 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

sin by intemperance in eating and drinking. How 
many are irregular in their mode of life. Their 
maxim seems to be: Eat, drink and be merry, for 
to-morrow you die. How much better the world 
would be, how much happier we would be, if we 
would, albeit in a limited way, emulate the ex- 
ample of St. John, and lead good, practical Catholic 
lives, so that when Christ at the last day shall 
give testimony of us, he may say as he did of St. 
John, Behold, I send my angel before thy face, 
who shall prepare thy way before thee. And 
this way shall lead direct to the Beatific Vision 
which you shall enjoy as long as God shall be 
God. 

PRAYER. 

O, blessed St. John, who didst merit even in 
this world to be honored and praised by our Lord 
and Savior, pray to him for me that I may one 
day receive at his hands the reward which he has 
promised to all who do his will on earth. Pray 
to him for me that I may do penance during the 
holy Advent season; that I may begin to-day to 
prepare the way of the Lord, so that when he 
shall come into my heart, on Christmas morning 
he may find it a fit dwelling-place. Grant, O my 
divine Savior, that I, like St. John, may give 
testimony of thee. Not, indeed, as St. John did 
by preaching and by fasting, but by living a good 



SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT. 19 

holy life in the state in which it has pleased thee 
to place me. Grant that by my conduct I may 
edify others, and thus help them to lead better 
lives. Instill in my heart a love of that poverty 
which characterized you while you were on earth. 
Eradicate from my heart all vain desires for 
worldly honors. 

Give me the grace to be satisfied with my 
station in life so that I may not run after the 
false joys of the world nor hunger after the pomp 
and splendor of earthly courts. Enable me by 
thy grace to follow the example of St. John, so 
that I may do penance for my past transgressions. 
Though I cannot expect to equal him in humility 
or in the rigors of penances that he performed, I 
can by the power of thy grace practice what he 
so eloquently preached, and do at least a little 
penance. Though the world and its allurements 
have caused me to stray far from the path trodden 
by St. John, I am resolved henceforth to bring 
forth works worthy of penance, and to live a good 
life. And do thou, O my divine Savior, help me 
by thy grace to keep the good resolutions I have 
made. Send thy angel before my face to prepare 
thy way before me, so that imitating the example 
of St. John I may one day be brought to the 
enjoyment of the heavenly bliss. 



20 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT. 

Gospel.—^. John i. 19-28. 

And this is the testimony of John, when the 
Jews sent from Jerusalem priests and Levites to 
him, to ask him : Who art thou ? And he con- 
fessed and he did not deny : and he confessed : I 
am not the Christ. And they asked him : What 
then ? Art thou Elias ? And he said : I am 
not ? Art thou the prophet ? And he answered : 
No. They said therefore unto him: Who art 
thou, that we may give an answer to them that 
sent us? What sayest thou of thyself? He 
said : I am the voice of one crying in the wilder- 
ness, make straight the way of the Lord, as said 
the Prophet Isaias. And they that w^ere sent 
were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and 
said to him : Why then dost thou baptize, if 
thou be not the Christ, nor Elias, nor the 
prophet ? John answered them, saying : " I 
baptize with water ; but there hath stood one in 
the midst of you, whom you know not. The 
same is he that shall come after me, who is pre- 
ferred before me; the latchet of whose shoe I 
am not worthy to loose. These things were 
done in Bethania, beyond the Jordan, where 
John was baptizing. 



THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT. 21 

INSTRUCTION. 

And they that were sent were of the Phari- 
sees. Witness in this fact the inscrutable wis- 
dom of God. See how he makes all things con- 
form to his infinite designs. We all know that 
the Pharisees were far from God, although they 
had performed all the works prescribed by the 
Mosaic law. They were the chief exponents of 
the law, and yet they were displeasing to the 
Almighty. Why, then, did he elect that they of 
all the Jewish race should be the ones that were 
to give testimony of him? Why were they 
selected to go to John to ask him if he were the 
Christ, or Elias, or the prophet? Simply that 
they might by his answers be brought to a 
realizing sense of their position. That seeing the 
great humility of the precursor of the Messiah 
they might take a lesson from him, and try to 
rid their hearts of the pride that was eating them, 
and driving them daily further and further from 
God. In his infinite mercy, the Almighty pitied 
them, and would have them realize how far they 
had drifted from his early teachings. In his 
mercy, he would recall them from the error of 
their ways, and show them that they must do 
penance, or they would all likewise perish. He 
would have them hear the Precursor cry out in 
his soul-piercing tones : Prepare ye the way of 



22 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

the Lord : make straight his path. Had they but 
paid heed to the lesson that John taught them in 
the few words of the gospel, what misery they 
might have been saved. Had they listened to the 
words of the Angel that was sent before the face 
of the Messiah, they would have been saved the 
pain and the mortification, and the disgrace of 
later being likened to whited sepulchres : good 
to look upon without, but within masses of 
rottenness and corruption. 

The Pharisees were learned in the Law. They 
were strict observers of the letter of the Law, 
but of the spirit they were unmindful. Their 
knowledge of the Law told them that the time 
was near at hand when the long-promised Mes- 
siah was to come. They had heard the teachings 
of John, and they had become alarmed. Alarmed 
at what? Alarmed at the thought that the 
Savior was in their midst, and they knew him 
not ? No ! Unfortunately, that was not the rea- 
son. The reason for their alarm was that a new 
teacher had sprung up, who was taking their 
followers from them. He was not of any of the 
schools that they recognized. He was not 
clothed as they were, in soft raiment. He did 
not affect the Synagogue at the times when it 
was most crowded. He did not say long prayers 
on the street corners, or in the places where men 
were wont to congregate. He did not pride him- 



THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT. 23 

self on the fact that he was not as other men. 
In a word, he was not one of them : he was, in 
fact, a standing rebuke to them. Why, then, did 
they send to him? That it might be made 
known to them that he was the precursor of the 
Christ, and that he was preaching a doctrine of 
which they, despite their knowledge of the Law> 
were ignorant. They, in common with the 
others of their race, had been sending loud cries 
to heaven. The burden of their prayers for 
many years had been : Drop dew, ye heavens, 
from above, and let the clouds rain the Just One. 
Let the earth open and bud forth the Savior. 

And now that Savior was in the midst of 
them, and they knew him not. The Almighty 
had hidden himself from the proud, and had 
taken up his abode with the humble. He had 
rejected them, but in his mercy he would still 
recall them from the error of their ways, but 
they would not. Do penance, for the kingdom 
of God is at hand, was the cry that they had 
heard from John, but to his teachings they 
turned a deaf ear. 

In the conduct of the Pharisees, witness the 
conduct of many of the so-called Christians of 
the 20th Century. See in their conduct the con- 
duct of many of our lukewarm Catholics. Like 
them, the poor Catholics of to-day hear the 
voice of God crying out to them, but they heed 



24: SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

it not. If to-day you hear the voice of God, 
harden not your hearts, are words which are 
addressed to them, but they heed them not. 
They have been looking forward for the coming 
of the Christ, and in a few days he is to be born 
again, but will he be born in their hearts ? Alas ! 
the hearts of many will not be fit for Christ to be 
born in. And why? Because they, like the 
Pharisees of old, have turned a deaf ear to the 
cry of the Baptist : Prepare ye the way of the 
Lord, make straight his path. Year after year, 
Sunday after Sunday, for the two weeks of 
Advent that have passed they have been ex- 
exhorted to turn from their evil ways, and pre- 
pare for the coming of the Christ, but they 
would not. By the teachings of the Church, by 
the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and in count- 
less other ways, they have been sent to John to 
ask : Who art thou ? 

And what has been the answer that John has 
given them ? Is it the same as that which he 
gave to the Pharisees ? No it is not. In many, 
if not in all cases, he has answered their question 
by repeating it and by asking them : Who art 
thou ? 

And that is the question that each and every 
one of us should try to answer to ourselves to-day. 
Who am I? What am I? Am I a better, a 
more holy man to-day than I was this time last 



THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT. 25 

year ? Have I grown better in the sight of God ? 
Am I any nearer to him than I was at the last 
Advent season ? If God were to send his mes- 
senger to me, and were to demand an accounting 
from me, what answer would I be able to give to 
that vital question, Who art thou ? If one of our 
fellow-men were to ask us that question, would 
we like St. John answer it truly, and tell him 
just what manner of man we are ? Would we 
make known in answer to that question all the 
faults, all the imperfections, not to say the sins 
that we have been guilty of for the past year, not 
to mention all that we have committed in a life- 
time ? Is there one amongst us who would be so 
humble as to tell just what we are ? And if we 
did would we not have to answer that we were 
not like the Baptist, but unfortunately like the 
Pharisees ? How many of us could answer the 
question : Who art thou, even to ourselves ? 
How many of us, by a diligent examination of 
conscience can tell just what we are ? How many 
of us mistake the appearance for the reality, even 
in our own individual cases, because we are 
blinded by self-love. 

And of what avail will the appearance be if the 
reality be wanting? What will it avail us to 
stand well in the sight of men, if before God we 
are sinners ? True it is that we may be able to 
deceive our fellow-men, and appear well before 



26 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

them, but we cannot, and we will not deceive the 
Almighty. And if we can convince ourselves 
that we are good, how easily we might convince 
ourselves that we might be a great deal better. 
How we should shrink from the thought that the 
Almighty is to come into our hearts on Christ- 
mas day. How insignificant we are when com- 
pared to him, and not only to him but to his 
saints. Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst 
enter under my roof ; I am not worthy that thou 
shouldst come into my heart. Cleanse it : purify 
it : make it a fit dwelling-place for thee. 

And then they said to him : Who art thou, 
that we may give an answer to them that sent us ? 
What sayest thou of thyself ? He said, I am the 
voice of one crying in the wilderness : make 
straight the way of the Lord. And how that 
same voice, that same soul-piercing cry has been 
dinned into our ears for the past weeks. What 
has holy mother Church said to us, but the one 
thing : Do penance, for the kingdom of God is at 
hand ? In season, and out of season she has been 
exhorting us to do penance. To go and show 
ourselves to the priest that he might be able to 
tell us who we are. She bids us turn from our 
evil ways, to do penance for our sins, so that we 
may escape the day of wrath. The voice of con- 
science has not been stilled in any one of us, but 
bids us ever and anon, make straight the way of 



THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT. 27 

the Lord. Every important event in life, every 
calamity, every accident, every cross, every af- 
fliction cries out to us in the loudest possible way, 
make straight the way of the Lord. 

It is not enough that we hear the words of St. 
John, we must also needs heed them. If in our 
case as in that of the Pharisees they fall on deaf 
ears, it would be better for us that they had never 
been uttered. We know that the Pharisees turned 
a deaf ear to the entreaties of the Baptist, and we 
know what was the punishment meted out to 
them. We know that even in this life, the Christ 
had called them hypocrites, whited sepulchres, 
and blind leaders of the blind. We know that 
they died as they had lived — at enmity with God, 
and we know that a like fate will befall us if we 
prepare not the way of the Lord. At this partic- 
ular time we may turn a deaf ear to the cry of 
the Church, but there will surely be a time when 
we will have to listen to it, and that time is sure 
to come to each and every one of us. At that 
dread hour, at the hour of death every man will 
have to answer that important question: Who 
art thou ? And happy the man who can say that 
he is a friend of God : that by his life he has en- 
deared himself to the Almighty. That he has 
sinned but that he has repented. That he has by 
his acts of penance prepared the way of the Lord, 
and if he has he may expect that the Lord in his 



28 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

turn will prepare a way for him, and that way 
will lead him to the realms of eternal bliss. 

PRAYER. 

Grant, Oh, my God, that the words of this 
Gospel may sink deeply into my heart. Impress 
me with their importance for me as an individual. 
Cause me to be transported to the times of the 
Baptist and enable me to hear him cry out prepare 
ye the way of the Lord. Enable me by thy grace 
to do penance. Like the Pharisees I have often 
heard the words of John, but they have fallen on 
deaf ears. For the remaining days of the Advent 
season I wish to live a really penitential life. 
Help me by thy grace. Grant, O Lord, that I may 
be able to present myself to thy accredited minis- 
ter the priest, and in answer to his question 
who art thou lay bare my soul to him. Enable 
me to see my soul, as thou dost see it and give 
me the necessary grace to do penance and amend 
my life. 



FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT. 

Gospel. — Luke hi. 1-6. 

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius 
Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, 
and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip, 
his brother, tetrarch of Iturea, and the country 



FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT. 29 

of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilinia, 
under the high priests Annas and Caiphas; the 
word of the Lord was made unto John, the son of 
Zachary, in the desert. And he came into all the 
country about the Jordan, preaching the baptism 
of penance for the remission of sins; as it was 
written in the book of the sayings of Isaias the 
prophet; a voice of one crying in the wilderness: 
Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight 
his paths. Every valley shall be filled; and every 
mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the 
crooked shall be made straight; and the rough 
ways plain ; and all flesh shall see the salvation 
of God. 

INSTRUCTION. 

Prepare ye the way of the Lord. That has 
been the cry of mother Church for the past three 
weeks, and what has been the response to her 
appeal? Is there any great difference between 
the cry she has been sending forth, and that of 
the Precursor? Has she not been using his very 
words, trying as it were to touch the hearts of 
men with the same incentive for penance as did 
the one specially chosen for that work by the 
Almighty God himself ? And as with the cry, so 
too with the response. Have we as Catholics 
responded to that appeal any more readily than 
did the Jews of old? May not the reproach of 



30 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

St. John be applied in all its force to us, for in 
what are we better to-day than we were before 
we listened to the soul-stirring cry of the Baptist 
as voiced by holy mother Church ? Have we as 
yet attempted to do any penance for the sins that 
we have committed ? Have we as yet begun to 
prepare the way of the Lord, to make straight 
his path? Have we as yet filled the valleys that 
are in our souls; have we razed the hills and the 
mountains of sin that have been raised there 
during the past year or since the time of our last 
confession; and if not, why not ? Is it because 
we do not hear the words of the Precursor, or 
rather is it not because we have hardened our 
hearts against them. If to-day you hear the 
word of God, harden not your heart. The voice 
of God is ringing through the land, and what 
does it proclaim? In every place where the gos- 
pel of Christ is preached to-day the burden of 
the voice of God is: Do penance for the kingdom 
of God is at hand. In a short time the Almighty 
is to be born again, not in the stable, but spiritu- 
ally in our hearts, and are they fit dwelling-places 
for him? Have we made the path to them 
straight so that God may enter therein ? Let us 
examine ourselves on this point, and see how 
strictly the words of John apply to us. 

And he came into the country about the Jordan, 
preaching the baptism of penance for the remis- 



FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT. 31 

sion of sins. The baptism of penance for the 
remission of sins, was the doctrine of John in the 
time of Christ, and it is the teaching of the 
Church in every age since that time. Without 
penance there can be no remission for sins, and 
unless they are remitted there can be no salvation. 
And in what does this baptism of penance consist? 
In a hearty contrition, an humble confession of 
sin, and satisfaction for the evil done. 

In a hearty contrition. What one of you is so 
hardened that he will not have a hearty sorrow 
for any and all the sins that he may have com- 
mitted if he but thinks for a moment on what is 
about to happen. The Almighty God is about to 
be born again and he sends heavenly messengers 
to us in the form of holy inspirations, the words 
of the gospel, and in countless other ways, and 
he tells us that he is anxious to come into our 
hearts; but he adds that he cannot and will not 
come while his enemy sin is a tenant there. Can 
we think of all that the good God has done for 
us, and all that he is even now doing for us, and 
still refuse to do penance for the sins that we 
have committed against him? If an earthly king 
were to send us the same message as we are now 
receiving from the King of kings would we not 
try our utmost to atone for any offences that we 
might have offered him ? And if we would do 
that to an earthly king, why not do at least as 



32 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

little for the King of Heaven? Let us then look 
into our hearts, and see the damage that sin has 
done there, and by sincere earnest contrition try 
to make amends for our past transgressions. 

An humble confession of sin is also required if 
we would meet the Lord on Christmas day. Like 
the prodigal we have strayed far from our 
Father's house during the time since our last 
worthy confession, but like him, let us resolve 
that we will return to it, and say to the Father: 
Father, I have sinned against heaven and before 
thee; I am not worthy to be called thy son: 
make me as one of thy hired servants. That is 
all that is required from us in the matter of a 
good confession; that we tell the Almighty some- 
thing that he already knows, and something that 
some of our friends also may know. Is there 
anything hard or impossible about the confession 
of sins? It was not hard to commit them, and 
we were not ashamed of God when doing it, and 
why should we be ashamed, or for the matter of 
that afraid to go to him in the person of his ac- 
credited minister, the priest, and tell him the 
exact state of our souls as we know them after a 
good, sincere examination of conscience. Surely 
that is not asking us much, when we consider 
that by so doing we are preparing for the visit of 
the Redeemer of Mankind. If you are physically 
ill, you quickly seek the aid of the physician; 



FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT. 33 

when you are spiritually ill show at least as much 
concern for the state of your immortal soul, and 
seek the Physician of Souls, our Lord and Savior 
Jesus Christ, and he will not only heal you and 
advise you, but will take up his abode with you, 
and give you every grace necessary for the future 
care of your soul. 

And the firm purpose of amendment. Ah! 
that is the crucible in which we should and must 
try all the promises for reform that we make to 
the confessor. If we are not sincere in our resolve 
to amend our lives, what is the sense of going to 
confession, and telling God that we are going to 
be better men? If a child were to offend fre- 
quently and after repeated cautions committed 
the same offense, despite all the promises made 
to do better, would you not have good ground for 
questioning the sincerity of that child? If a 
prisoner, brought before the judge for sentence 
was told that sentence would be suspended if he 
would pledge himself to live an honest, upright 
life, but in a short time would be again before that 
same judge for a like offense, is there much prob- 
ability that the judge would listen to his plea ? 
There is not, and the same may be said of the 
man who goes to confession frequently, but who 
relapses into the same old sins. You are now 
preparing for the visit of your Sovereign, and 
everything should be made ready for that visit. 
3 



34: SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

If there is one thing that would be at all dis- 
pleasing to him, that one thing is sin, and it is 
therefore your bounden duty to rid yourself of 
sin, so that he may find your heart a fit dwelling- 
place. 

And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. 
Those words of the prophet have been realized, 
but we are now in a position to have them 
realized in our individual cases, for the Son of 
God is willing, nay, anxious to come and dwell in 
our hearts. All flesh saw the salvation of God at 
the time of the birth of Christ, and we, too, will 
see it in a few days if we have prepared faithfully 
and well during the Advent season. This coming 
may be likened to the first, but there will be a 
second coming of Christ, when he shall appear to 
us, not as a lowly babe, but as a God of might 
and power coming in the clouds to judge justices, 
and as we are preparing now for the first coming, 
so too shall we have prepared for the second. If 
we prepare worthily for the coming of Christ at 
Christmas we shall receive him with joy, and 
that joy will be but the forerunner of the joy we 
shall experience when at the day of the final 
judgment we shall appear before the tribunal of 
God to receive an everlasting reward for the short 
penance that we have done during the Advent 
season. Do penance, for the kingdom of God is 
at hand. 



FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT. 35 

PRAYER. 

Prepare my soul, O my God, for the worthy 
reception of thy Body and Blood on Christmas 
morn. Help me by thy grace to put into the 
practice of my daily life the admonition of thy 
holy Precursor. Do penance for the kingdom of 
God is at hand, By the sinfulness of my life I 
have wandered far from thee, and like the pro- 
digal am no longer worthy to be called thy son, 
but mindful of the many promises that thou hast 
made, I come to thee with a spirit of childlike 
confidence and at thy crib ask pardon and forgive- 
ness for all the offenses I have committed against 
thee. O, thou who didst vouchsafe to become a 
lowly babe for my sake, and to suffer torments 
for me, thou will certainly not refuse me when I 
ask with a contrite heart for the pardon of my 
sins. I am not worthy to be called thy child, 
but you will not look upon my past transgressions 
but rather on the firm purpose of amendment that 
I am now making. I feel only too keenly my 
own disgrace, and recognize only too well that 
my heart is filled with the mountains of sin, but 
by thy help I am going to become a better and a 
more loving and a more dutiful child. I am now 
realizing in my soul the effect of the preaching of 
St. John and I feel that I must do penance. Do 
thou help me by thy grace to confess my sins 



36 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

and amend my life, and to so live for the few 
days between now and Christmas that my heart 
may be a fit dwelling-place for you, and when 
you do come to me, so inspire me by thy grace 
that I may live thenceforward a truly Christian 
life, so that I may be worthy to be called thy son, 
so that I may one day see the salvation that thou 
hast promised to all thy faithful followers, so that 
the coming Christmas may be but the forerunner 
of life eternal with thee in heaven. 



CHRISTMAS DAY. 

Gospel. — Luke ii. 1-14. 

And it came to pass, that in those days there 
went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the 
whole world should be enrolled. This enrolling 
was first made by Cyrinus, the Governor of Syria. 
And all went to be enrolled, every one into his 
own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, 
out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city 
of David, which is called Bethlehem : because he 
was of the house and family of David, to be en- 
rolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with 
child. And it came to pass, that when they were 
there, her days were accomplished, that she should 
be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born 



CHRISTMAS DAY. 37 

son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, 
and laid him in a manger ; because there was no 
room for them at the inn. And there were in the 
same country shepherds watching, and keeping 
the night watches over their flock. And behold 
an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the 
brightness of God shone round about them ; and 
they feared with a great fear. And the angel said 
to them : Fear not : for, behold, I bring you good 
tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people : 
for, this day, is born to you a Savior, who is Christ 
the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be 
a sign unto you. You shall find the infant 
wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a 
manger. And suddenly there was with the angel 
a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God 
and saying : Glory to God in the highest ; and on 
earth peace to men of good will. 

INSTRUCTION. 

I announce to you good tidings of great joy, that 
shall be to all the people, for this day is born to 
you a Savior who is Christ the Lord. The very 
reading of these words seems to cause us to pass 
in rapid review before our mind's eye many of the 
things spoken of in the gospel. In fancy we can 
almost see the shepherds watching the flock, and 
can almost imagine the feeling of consternation 
that must have overcome them as they listened to 



38 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

the angelic messenger telling them that he had 
for them tidings of great joy. And although 
nearly two thousand years have elapsed since that 
time we feel certain that that same message is 
being addressed to us, albeit in an inaudible 
manner. We try to picture to ourselves the 
Savior born into the world and when we see that 
he is lying in a manger, surrounded only by his 
earthly parents, we are shocked at the thought 
that none of his creatures, none of the great ones 
of the earth, none from that vast multitude was 
so good as to call to do him reverence. What 
a flood of thought goes surging through our 
minds ! How we are likely to condemn the Jews 
for their seeming want of respect for the new born 
Savior ! We like to flatter ourselves that if we 
were alive at that time that we would have been 
at the manger to pay our tribute of respect, and 
love and honor to the new born king of the Jews, 
the long promised Messiah. The thought that a 
God is born in such a lowly place seems to be 
beyond our understanding. We cannot realize 
why it is that he who created heaven and earth 
and all things did not choose to be born in a 
palace specially built for him by the very angels. 
And yet a little thought will suffice to show us, 
that the place he selected was the most fitting for 
him. In that lowly place sin never had its abode, 
and that was something that could not be said 



CHRISTMAS DAY. 39 

about other earthly habitations. Again, his life 
was to be one of humility, trials and sufferings 
and so it was meet that he should begin to suffer 
now, even at the very moment of his birth. And 
yet lowly as was the birth of Christ it was the 
signal for great joy, not only on earth, but also in 
heaven. 

To the Eternal Father this was an occasion of 
great joy, for he now beholds that Son whom he 
had promised to the fallen Adam as a redeemer, 
undertaking the very first act in the drama of 
man's salvation. To the Divine Son himself it 
was a season of joy, for although it was but the 
beginning of the torments that he was ordained 
to endure, he felt that it was also the first step in 
the redemption of mankind, for which he had 
looked forward so long and earnestly. And to 
the Holy Ghost it was an occasion of joy, for he 
knew that by the life and sufferings of that lowly 
Babe mankind was destined to merit infinite 
graces and blessings. 

And who can describe the feeling of mingled 
joy and sadness that must have possessed the 
heart of the Immaculate Mother of God. Joy at 
the thought that this day had been born of her 
flesh the Savior of the world — sadness at the 
thought that he was beginning even thus early to 
expiate for the sins of fallen man. But she is not 
alone in her joy to-day, for has not the angel de- 



40 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

clared that this joy shall be for all the people ? 
From Adam to the infant that was just born, and 
from that infant to the last man that shall be born 
into this world that heavenly messenger brought 
the tidings of great joy. Who can picture the 
joy that must have existed amongst the souls of 
the blessed when it was made known to them 
that the long promised Messiah was at last born 
into the world and that their time for enduring 
separation from God was rapidly drawing to a 
close. 

The angels too were enjoying great joy this 
day, for did they not understand the meaning of 
the birth of the Savior. They had been created 
as ministering spirits, and no doubt part of that 
duty was to minister between God and man. 
Listen to the gladsome halleluiah of the minister- 
ing spirits ! Hear the earth echo, even at this 
late day their song of gladness Glory to God in 
the highest, and on earth peace to men of good 
will. 

But to man, sinful man, this lowly birth was 
the tidings of great joy. By this birth sin is to be 
removed and the grace of God is to take its place. 
Man is at last reconciled with heaven. He has 
at last been restored to his lost heritage. What 
a reason for joy is this ! On this day begins the 
work that is to merit for all mankind the eternal 
salvation for which they were created, but which 



CHRISTMAS DAY. 41 

they lost through sin. On this day the devil and 
his minions tremble with fear for they know that 
their Master is at last born into the world. 
Saints and sinners rejoice and are glad for on this 
day is born to them a Savior who is Christ the 
Lord. 

But for us as individuals to-day should be the 
most joyous of all the year. True it is that 
Christ is not born again as he was in the lowly 
stable at Bethlehem, but he is born again on our 
altars and. spiritually in the hearts of many of us. 
And for those of us who have been fortunate 
enough to receive him in the Eucharist this 
morning Avho can tell the joy we have felt. Who 
can describe the sense of ineffable happiness that 
seems to pervade our very being and brings to us 
the joy spoken of by the angel. Truly are we 
experiencing the force of the heavenly hymn of 
praise " Peace on earth to men of good will. We 
seem to be conscious of the fact that the lowly 
Babe of Bethlehem is in our hearts and that the 
same heavenly cohorts that sung his praises then 
are surrounding him whilst he is in those lowly 
hearts of ours, and are singing Glory to God 
in the highest. 

And what shall we say to those who have not 
deigned to prepare for the birth of Christ. They 
have deplored the fact that he was born in a 
stable and yet they have not seen fit to garnish 



42 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

and furbish their hearts that he might come to 
them to-day. Are they not in the same state as 
were many of the Jews who although Christ was 
born in their midst knew it not ? Can he not say 
to them that he came to his own and that his 
own received him not ? And what are they going 
to do ? Are they going to let this day pass with- 
out making at least one serious effort to become 
reconciled with their God ? Can they not under- 
stand that much of the suffering that he endured 
in the stable was caused by the inhumanity of 
man, and that they too are in a sense causing the 
Babe of Bethlehem to suffer? For all that he 
has done for man he asks but their hearts in 
return, and yet there are some who are so cold, 
so indifferent, so lukewarm, so careless, yea, even 
so sinful as to turn a deaf ear to that entreaty. 
They can hear the cries of the Infant ; they know 
that the tears that he sheds are for them, and 
yet they can remain so stony-hearted as to refuse 
him succor in their hearts. If you have not as 
yet prepared for the birth of the Savior do so ere 
you leave this church, and by fervent acts of faith 
hope and love, accompanied by sincere contrition, 
so prepare your heart that the Babe of Bethlehem 
may be born therein, for only in that case will 
you realize the full import of the words of the 
gospel : Behold I bring you tidings of great 
joy a joy which will cause you to sing with the 



CHRISTMAS DAY. 43 

angelic choir Glory to God is the highest and 
on earth peace to men of good will. 

PRAYER. 

How often, oh, my God, hast thou recalled to 
my mind the circumstances of the birth of thine 
only begotten Son. From my earliest childhood 
to the present moment the bare thought of the 
Christmas time has had a wonderful influence 
over me. Even before I could understand the 
meaning of the day the recurrence of it ever ex- 
erted a subtle influence. And as in childhood so 
in youth, and even in age the thought of the 
Christmas day floods the mind with beautiful and 
inspiring thoughts. Who can dwell on the events 
of that day and still withhold from thee the 
praise that is thy due. Who can see the Infant 
in the manger and not think of all that he has 
merited at the hands of that Divine Babe and 
how poorly he has repaid him for even the suffer- 
ings that he endured in the stable ? Who can 
see the Second Person of the Trinity as he is 
there with none but his earthly parents to honor 
him and fail to be moved by that spectacle? 
Many a time and oft have I thought of what I 
would have done for thee had I been present at 
the Bethlehem stable, and the words that I would 
have poured into thy infant ears. For have I 
not at such times convinced myself that I would 



44 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

have been able to recognize my God even in that 
lowly form? And yet I who have so often 
thought of thee as the lowly Babe have often 
been unmindful of thee as the Almighty, the 
Infinite God. I have mourned and deplored the 
fact that I was not present at Bethlehem, and 
yet I have often left thee friendless and alone in 
the tabernacle. . . How often thou hast prompted 
me by thy grace to come to thee, and how often 
alas, have I turned a deaf ear to thy entreaty. 
How can I face thee, O my God when I think of 
the many, the countless times that I have been 
unmindful of thee. How can I dare to come to 
thee even on this thy natal day and offer thee 
this heart of mine which is even worse than the 
stable in which thou wert born, for, alas ! it has 
often been tenanted by thy arch enemy the devil. 
But as I look upon thee wrapped in swaddling 
clothes, and recall the message of the angel, my 
courage returns to me and I say that I, like the 
shepherds, will come, and though I have no" 
better gift to offer thee than my heart, will offer 
that to thee knowing full well that an humble 
and contrite heart thou wilt never despise. And 
do thou, most gentle Jesus, come to me and 
take up thy abode in my heart : inundate it with 
thy grace. Give me the particular grace that I 
may need most, but above all teach me to love 
thee for I wish but thee and nothing more. 



CHRISTMAS DAY. 45 

Fill my heart with thy presence, and whilst thy 
blood goes coursing through my veins give me 
the power to speak to thee and to tell thee how 
I love thee. 

And thou, O most Immaculate Mother of 
the Infant Jesus, and my mother, make interces- 
sion for me. Thou knowest my poverty and my 
weakness. Thou knowest that I have not always 
been as faithful to thy Son as I should have 
been, but thy mother's heart will not permit 
thee to leave my prayer unanswered. Pray to 
him for me. Make me as it were one of thy 
children, so that I may be united by bonds of 
true love and affection to thy adorable Son. 
Thou hast ever been my protectress, my model, 
my advocate. Do thou be now my mother, and 
pray to thy Divine Son for me. Remember the 
sufferings that thou didst undergo because of the 
neglect of the men of thy time, and do not let me 
fall into such an error. Bring me to thy Son, 
and there keep me. Point out to me the way 
that I should go if I expect to meet him. Obtain 
for me that true love of him which I should 
have even now, and help me to cleanse and 
purify my heart so that when thy Divine Son 
does deign to come to me he may find my heart 
a fit dwelling-place, that he may take up his 
abode therein, so that to-day may be for me a 
really merry Christmas, a season of great joy, in 



46 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

which I may be able to sing with the heavenly 
choirs : 

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth 
peace to men of good- will. 



SUNDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF 
CHRISTMAS. 

Gospel. — Luke ii. 33-40. 

At that time : Joseph, and Mary the mother of 
Jesus, were wondering at the things spoken con- 
cerning him. And Simeon blessed them, and 
said to Mary, his mother : Behold, he is set for 
the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a 
sign which will be opposed : and a sword shall 
pierce thine own soul, that the thoughts of many 
hearts may be revealed. And there was one 
Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of 
the tribe of Aser ; she was far advanced in 
years, and had lived with her husband seven 
years from her virginity. And she was a widow 
until eighty-four years ; and departed not from 
the temple, but, by fastings and prayers, wor- 
shipped night and day. Now-she, at the same 
hour, coming in, gave praise to the Lord, and 
spake of him to all who were looking for the re- 
demption of Israel. And after they had per- 



SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. 47 

formed all things according to the law of the 
Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own 
city, Nazareth. And the child grew, and be- 
came strong, full of wisdom : and the grace of 
God was with him. 

INSTRUCTION. 

The predictions made by Simeon and Anna, 
while they applied in a particular manner to our 
Lord and his blessed mother, seem to apply at 
least indirectly to us as individuals. That Christ 
was to be the sign that was to be contradicted, 
was proven at his death. And the sword that 
was to pierce his mother's heart entered therein 
up to the very hilt, and left a wound that time 
could not heal. 

But, behold, this child is set for the ruin and 
the resurrection of many in Israel. How true 
was that prophecy, and how soon to be fulfilled ! 
The life, doctrine and miracles of Christ were 
surely a sign — a sign pointing out the way to 
everlasting salvation — a sign proving beyond 
peradventure that he was the divinely sent Mes- 
siah. Many had believed in this sign, and had 
embraced the faith that he was teaching. But it 
was at the time of his passion and death that the 
sign was contradicted. At that time they seemed 
not only to deny what they had previously be- 
lieved, but they put to death the teacher, the 






48 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

miracle-worker at whose hands they had re- 
ceived so many benefits. 

We shudder when we think of the cruelty of 
the Jews and at times find it hard to restrain our 
mental indignation against them, but a little 
thought will convince many of us that the proph- 
ecy applies almost as directly to us as it did 
to them. For, has not the Savior been set for 
our ruin and our resurrection ? For our ruin, if, 
like so many others who should be good Catholics, 
we are unmindful of him, and careless of his in- 
terests : forgetting him and all that he has done 
for us, in our pursuit of earthly wealth and pleas- 
ures. For our resurrection, if we forsake the 
world and its allurements and take up our cross 
and follow him. He is set for our ruin, when at the 
time of our judgment he has to act as the Judge 
who must condemn us if our lives have merited 
eternal death ; for our resurrection if we have 
merited the reward that he has promised to all 
his faithful followers. For our ruin if we re- 
ceive him unworthily ; for our resurrection if we 
receive him worthily in the sacrament of his love. 
In a word, for our ruin if we are leading bad and 
sinful lives ; for our resurrection, if as good and 
practical Catholics we live according to his teach- 
ings, and keep the commandments that he has 
given us. 

And now the practical question arises : Would 



"^ 



SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. 49 

Christ be for our ruin or for our resurrection if 
at this very moment the grim destroyer were to 
take us for his own. Each and every one will 
have to answer that all-important question for 
himself. Your conscience will tell you whether 
you would be on the right or the left hand of 
God if he were to come to judge you this minute. 
Take heed then, of the prophecy, and try to 
make a personal application of it to your daily 
life. As the twig is inclined the tree grows ; as 
you live so shall you die. If you live a bad life 
you will surely die a bad death. If you live ac- 
cording to the teachings of the Church, and the 
commandments of God you will die a good death. 
In the former case Christ will have been set for 
your ruin; in the latter for your resurrection. 
This is a terrible thought. Meditate on it and 
tremble. Think on the conduct of the Jews who 
had the Savior himself to instruct them. They 
listened with attention to him, and profited by 
his example, but they put him to death. He 
had been set for their resurrection, but by the 
perversity of their lives he was the cause of their 
ruin, for they rejected him and crucified him. 
So, too, with many of us. He is set for our re- 
surrection, but owing to the sinfulness of our 
lives he may be the cause of our ruin. A few 
short days ago we were transported with joy 
at the thought that the Savior was born into the 
4 



50 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

world. Many of us allowed him to be born in 
our hearts, and he inundated us with his graces. 
But, alas, in the hearts of many he has no place 
to-day. He has been driven from them by his 
arch enemy, for many of us, going back to our 
usual mode life have committed our daily sins 
and thus have driven him forth. On Christmas 
day he was set for our resurrection, but, alas, to- 
day he would be for our ruin, if he were to 
call us before his judgment seat. How sad, how 
terrible it would be if the Savior who was set 
for our resurrection, should, owing to the sinful- 
ness of our lives be forced to condemn us. He 
came to save us, not to damn us. Let us then 
try to conform to the graces he gives us daily so 
that by the sanctity of our lives it may be said 
of us that the Divine Child was set, not for our 
ruin, but for our resurrection. 

And thy own soul a sword shall pierce. Even 
at the very moment that that prophecy was ut- 
tered it began to be fulfilled. For is it not rea- 
sonable to suppose that Mary understood it fully ? 
And if she did how could she escape the first 
touch of that sword any more than later she 
could keep it from entering her very soul. Yes, 
Mary's heart was to be pierced with a seven-fold 
sword. This prophecy made known to her what 
was to take place on Good Friday, and the fore- 
knowledge of that awful event was to be one of 



SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. 51 

the keenest sorrows that she was destined to en- 
dure. But she was not to be allowed to wait for 
that awful day to have the words of Simeon 
brought to her with all their force. A short 
time after she heard them they were recalled 
to her mind by the torture she must have en- 
dured while on the way to Egypt with the Child. 
How vividly they must have appeared to her 
when at the time the holy family went to be en- 
rolled, and on going back to their own city they 
found the Child was not with them. Truly did 
she say to her son, that she and her spouse had 
sought him sorrowing. But the real sorrow, the 
sharpest sword did not enter her soul till the 
time, when in the providence of God, her son was 
to be put to death. Picture to yourself the agony 
that would be experienced by an indulgent loving 
mother if her wayward son were to be put to 
death as the result of many crimes. How she 
would suffer in mind and body. How her soul 
would be torn with anguish. But her sorrow 
might be lessened by the thought that terrible as 
was the punishment inflicted, awful as was the 
disgrace that would fall upon her, it was at least 
merited by the sins of her son. But in the case 
of Mary there was, there could be nothing to as- 
suage her grief. Hers was not a wayward, a 
wicked son, but the most dutiful, the most loving, 
the best son ever born of woman. He was not 



52 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

only her son, but the true and only Son of the 
Almighty. Imagine then, if you can, the agony 
that must have pierced her very soul. She who 
loved this son more than any mortal could 
possibly love a child, sees him put to an 
ignominious death, and not by his enemies, but 
by those who a short time before had proclaimed 
themselves his friends, and had met him with 
the loud cry of Hosannah to the Son of David. 
Truly was the heart of Mary torn with grief. 
Truly were the words of Simeon verified, for cer- 
tainly has the sword pierced her heart. 

Can we, then, hear this prophecy and not be 
forced to think that in a sense at least it applies 
to us. Can we not see that unless we are very 
guarded in our daily lives and walk in the path 
mapped out for us by the Savior, he will be set 
for our ruin rather than our resurrection. Or, 
can we as dutiful children of Mary look upon her 
as she stands weeping at the foot of the cross and 
fail to commiserate with her in her awful and 
terrible suffering. If we are her devoted children, 
as we all ought to be, then we cannot fail to have 
sorrow for her. We cannot close our ears to her 
plaintive cry, as looking upon her dead Savior she 
cries out, O ye who pass by the way, look and see 
if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow. 
Sorrow and pity are akin to love, and if we sorrow 
for the Blessed Virgin we will soon learn to love 



SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. 53 

her, and loving her we cannot fail to love her Son, 
and if we but love him the words of Simeon will 
come true in our case, and we can say that the 
Lord has been set not for our ruin but for our 
glorious resurrection. 

PRAYER. 

O, Immaculate Mother of God, who didst 
present in the temple the Lord of the temple, and 
didst hear the awful prophecy of Simeon, make 
intercession with him for me that I may become 
thy truly devoted son. Pray to him that I may 
lead such a holy life that I can say that the Lord 
is my resurrection, and my life. Cause me to 
think of thy sevenfold sorrows, so that meditating 
upon them I may understand that it was the sins 
of ungrateful men that caused them, and obtain 
for me the grace to avoid any and all things that 
may cause me to offend God and thus cause you 
such deep sorrow. Teach me to be thy loving 
child, so that I may appreciate you as my loving 
mother. And as the dutiful child always strives 
to avoid all that may annoy his mother and to do 
all that may be pleasing to her, so teach me to do 
what may be pleasing to you, for what will please 
you will be pleasing also to thy Divine Son. Ob- 
tain for me the grace to think from time to time 
on the awful tragedy of Calvary, and to see you 
as you knelt by the cross, suffering not for the 



54 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

sins of your Son, not for your own, but my sins 
and the sins of countless others. Prompt me 
from time to time to go before the Tabernacle 
where with the eyes of faith I may see the Babe 
you presented in the temple. Obtain from him 
for me that I may from time to time receive him 
in the blessed sacrament. But above all take me 
for thy child. Thou didst care for the Infant 
Jesus. Thou didst teach him worldly wisdom, 
and in all things didst act as a most tender and 
loving mother towards him. Remember, O most 
sorrowful mother, that the agony that he endured 
and the sword that pierced thine own heart were 
suffered that I might be redeemed. Pray to him 
for me then that he may be set for my resurrec- 
tion, and cause me to lead such a good, and pious 
life that I may merit to be called thy son, so that 
those with whom I may be thrown in daily contact 
may say of me as was said of your Divine Child, 
albeit in a limited manner : And the child grew, 
and waxed strong : full of wisdom : and the grace 
of God was in him. 
Mater Dolorosa, Pray for me. 



EPIPHANY. 55 

EPIPHANY. 

Gospel. — Matt. ii. 1-12. 

When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem 
of Juda, in the days of King Herod, behold, 
there came wise men from the East to Jerusa- 
lem, saying, Where is he that is born king of the 
Jews ? For we have seen his star in the East, 
and we are come to adore him. And King Herod, 
hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem 
with him. And assembling together all the chief 
priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired 
of them where Christ should be born. But they 
said to him : In Bethlehem of Juda : for so it is 
written by the prophet : And thou, Bethlehem, 
the land of Juda ; art not the least among the 
princes of Juda : for out of thee shall come forth 
the captain that shall rule my people Israel. 
Then Herod, calling the wise men, learned dili- 
gently of them the time of the star which ap- 
peared to them, and sending them into Bethle- 
hem, said : Go, and diligently inquire after the 
Child : and when you have found him, bring me 
word again, that I also may come and adore him. 
Who, having heard the king, went their way : 
and behold, the star which they had seen in the 
East went before them, until it came and stood 



56 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

over where the Child was. And, seeing the 
star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 
And entering into the house, they found the 
Child with Mary, his mother : and falling down 
they adored him ; and opening their treasures they 
offered him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 
And having received an answer in sleep that 
they should not return to Herod, they went 
back another way into their own country. 

INSTRUCTION. 

Behold the manifestation of our Lord and 
Savior Jesus Christ on his formal entrance into 
this world. He had been heralded for many 
years, and was momentarily expected, but those 
to whom he had made known his coming were 
too engrossed in other affairs to pay any attention 
at all to his advent. The Jews for many years 
had been crying out that the heavens might open 
and send down the Just One: that the earth 
might open and bud forth the Savior, and now 
that their prayer was about to be answered they 
had turned far from God and were not worthy 
that he should manifest himself to them. True 
it is that the shepherds had been led to him by 
the voices of the heavenly choir, and that they 
had gone to him and had offered their homages 
to him, but where were the countless others that 
should have been at the birthplace of the Savior ? 



EPIPHANY. 5^ 

Where were the princes of the people, the men 
versed in the law, the rabbis and the scribes, and 
the others who had been looking forward so 
long and so anxiously for the birth of the new- 
born king of the Jews ? Can it be that God had 
turned a deaf ear to the many prayers that they 
had sent up to him ? Certainly not, for was he 
not born at the time and place that he had said 
he would be born in ? Had Daniel not prophesied 
many years before, telling the time and the 
place of the birth of the Anointed One ? Why, 
then, was it that the Jews were so unmindful of 
the event ? It was because they did not under- 
stand the inscrutable ways of God ! They had 
looked forward for the coming of the Christ, but 
they had expected him to come not as a lowly 
babe, but rather as a God of might and majesty, 
a ruler who was to make them the mightiest of 
all the peoples of the world, and therefore his 
coming was both a surprise and a disappoint- 
ment to them. There was much in the circum- 
stances of the birth of Christ which might have 
caused a doubt in the minds of the Jews, for 
they had drifted far from their early teachings, 
and their ideas of the Messiah had undergone a 
most radical change. It was not the Messiah of 
their fathers that they now expected, but rather 
one who was to be a great and powerful military 
ruler ; one who would free them from the yoke 



58 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

which now galled them, and would make of them 
a mighty and a warlike people. So radically had 
their notions of the Messiah changed that even 
the most learned of them could not recognize in 
this child in swaddling clothes the long-promised 
King. 

But if there was room for doubt, there was 
also evidence sufficiently strong at least for all 
men of good- will. This evidence, which after all 
was nothing less than divine grace, differed in 
the individual case. For the lowly shepherds it 
came in the form of the angelic choir singing 
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace 
to men of good-will. They had shown their 
good- will, and their ready correspondence to the 
grace of God, and had been to the crib to offer 
him their homage. The learned Jews had the 
sacred books, and, as events proved, they could, 
by studying them, tell where and when the 
Savior was to be born. But, alas for them, they 
did not know the day of the visitation, and 
Christ came unto his own, and his own received 
him not. They had the prophets and the holy 
writings, and had devoted all their time to the 
study of them, but because they had hardened 
their hearts against God, he called another race 
to be his chosen people. The men of the East, 
learned in the study of the stars, and instructed 
no doubt by the sacred writings of the Jews, 



EPIPHANY. 59 

knew, too, the time of the coming of the new 
King, and made haste to adore him. True it is 
that they may have looked upon him as an 
earthly king, but because of their ready cor- 
respondence to the grace that God had given 
them, they and others like them were to be the 
especial friends of God. They had seen his star 
in the East, and had come to adore him. 

And Herod said to them : Go, and diligently 
inquire after the Child: and when you have 
found him, bring me word again that I may come 
and adore him. How futile were the efforts of 
Herod to delude the Almighty God. As we well 
know he had no intention of adoring the new 
born king, but rather sought his life. He had in 
common with all the Jews heard of the coming 
of the Messiah, but so engrossed was he in the 
pursuit of personal preferment that he would 
have become even a deicide to further his own 
wicked ends. We have no Herods in this our 
day, but are there not many just as wicked as 
he? Are there not many, who would if they 
dared put to death the Christ and his followers ? 
Men who have no thought for God or for man, 
and who seem to take an almost diabolical delight 
in denying and trying to get others to deny the 
very existence of God. Are such men one whit 
better than was Herod of old ? They seem to be 
animated with the same spirit as he was, and 



60 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

seem to try by every means within their power 
to destroy the influence of the very Redeemer 
who came that they might be saved. 

The priests, learned in the law, were able to 
tell Herod the time and the place of the birth of 
the new born king. They even had the knowl- 
edge forced upon them by the questions of the 
wise-men and the king, and yet they would not 
pay their obeisance to the Messiah. Proud, 
stiff-necked, corrupt, they did not find it in their 
hearts to go out and meet the Messiah, and thus 
lost the high places for which they had been 
destined in the new dispensation. 

The wise-men from the East, as soon as they 
had seen the star, gave up home and all other 
considerations that they might come and offer 
their gifts to the new-born King. And how 
amply they were repaid for the little sacrifices 
that they made. They not only saw the King, 
but held converse with him, and the ready cor- 
respondence with the graces that they then 
merited was for them the beginning of a new life. 

And behold the star which they had seen, ap- 
peared to them. The light of grace which this star 
typified appears and disappears as did the star. 
Now it is clear as day in your soul ; now dark as 
night. To-day we may feel that the grace of 
God is within us directing our every action ; we 
feel that we are at peace with God and that he is 



EPIPHANY. 61 

pleased with all the works that we are offering 
to him. To-morrow that feeling of peace and 
serenity may disappear and then we are in the 
slough of despond, feeling that nothing that we 
may do is meritorious in the sight of God. But 
even though the star of grace has disappeared 
from view, it is but hidden for a time and will 
make its appearance again, if like the Magi wc 
make diligent inquiries, and in the time of our 
aridities seek the advice of those competent to 
instruct us, and above all be faithful to prayer, 
remembering that the door is only opened to him 
who knocks and that it is only he who seeks that 
finds. If through your own fault you have lost 
trace of your loving Savior, seek him diligently 
as did the Magi, through prayer and the sacra- 
ments and he will manifest himself to you, and 
then you can go and offer him your gifts. He 
will accept them from you, and the little-sacrifices 
that you may have made in seeking him will be 
atoned for by the graces that you will receive at 
his hands. 

And they went back another way to their own 
country. And so too should it be with us. 
Having once found Jesus would it not be the 
height of ingratitude to go back to his enemy 
and ours ? We know too well the trials and the 
sufferings that we have endured while away 
from Christ, and it is the part of wisdom to do 



62 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

what we can to escape them for the future. 
Having found him then in the sacrament of his 
love, let us by the goodness of our lives merit the 
grace of one day meeting him in heaven. 

PRAYER. 

Give me, O God, the grace to realize the im- 
portance of the favor thou hast bestowed on me 
in calling me to be a member of the true Church. 
Too often, alas, have I been unmindful of the 
graces thou hast bestowed upon me, and like the 
Jews of old, have I wandered far from thee. 
But ever and anon hast thou shown me the star ; 
the star of grace which leads back to the true 
fold. Never let me wander from it more, but 
rather give me grace to follow the example of 
the wise men of the East, to seek thee out, and 
having found thee to offer thee my gifts, not of 
gold, frankincense and myrrh, but a contrite and 
undivided heart ; a heart full of sorrow for the 
faults and sins of the past, and good resolutions 
for the future. If, in times past I have lost sight 
of the star of thy grace, and have not diligently 
sought it, but rather have gone after the flesh- 
pots, and the gratification of my own pleasures, 
now that I have found it again, give me the grace 
to do as the wise men did, go back to my own 
country by another route, so that I may escape 
the temptations that have made me fall. Lead 



FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 63 

me by thy kindly light to see the error of my 
past life, and give me the assistance that I may 
need for the future to conform to thy graces, so 
that having found you in the crib, I may never 
lose you again but may have you ever before my 
mind, so that forming my life on the maxims 
that you have taught, I may one day see you, 
not as did the Magi, as a lowly babe, but as a God 
of might and power, surrounded by myriads of 
angels, and with them may sing forever, Glory to 
God in the highest. 



FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 

Gospel. — Luke ii. 42-52. 

And when he was twelve years old, they going 
up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of 
the feast, and having fulfilled the days, when 
they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jeru- 
salem; and his parents knew it not. And think- 
ing that ho was in the company, they came a day's 
journey, and sought him among their kinsfolks 
and acquaintance. And not finding him, they 
returned into Jerusalem, seeking him. And it 
came to pass, that, after three days, they found 
him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the 
doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. 
And all that heard him were astonished at his 






64 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

wisdom and his answers. And seeing him, they 
wondered. And his mother said to him: Son? 
why hast thou done so to us? behold thy father 
and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said 
to them: How is it that you sought me? 
did you not know, that I must be about my 
father's business? And they understood not the 
word that he spoke unto them. And he went 
down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was 
subject to them. And his mother kept all these 
words in her heart. And Jesus advanced in 
wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men. 

INSTRUCTION. 

Before passing judgment on the chief event 
spoken of in this gospel, the loss of the child 
Jesus, it would be well for us to attend to the 
circumstances under which it happened. We all 
know that there were two gates leading from the 
city, and one was used by the men, and the other 
by the women, and that the children as a rule 
were allowed to flock together, or go with either 
parent according to the wishes of the parents 
themselves. With this thought in mind it is very 
easy for us to exculpate the earthly parents of 
the child Jesus from any blame which might 
attach to them for their carelessness — a careless- 
ness which was more apparent than real. Joseph 
no doubt felt secure in the thought that the child 



FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 65 

was with Mary, and she on her part felt safe in 
the thought that he was with his foster-father, 
and so the loss of the child was not discovered 
till the people came to the place where the dif- 
ferent parties were to separate and each go his 
several way. What must have been the conster- 
nation of the parents of Jesus when they dis- 
covered that he was not with them, nor with his 
kinsfolks or brethren! We can only try to 
imagine the grief of Mary's heart, for we can not 
realize it. In fancy we can see her running 
wildly hither and yon, asking all who might 
know her son if they had any tidings of him. 
Joseph, a little more composed but still feeling 
most keenly his loss, goes about asking all who 
might give him any hope, if by chance they could 
give him any news of his son. At last when 
they are alone, with grief such as parents alone 
can appreciate, they determine to retrace their 
steps, hoping almost against hope, that they 
might meet him on the way. But they are 
doomed to disappointment ; for they do not meet 
him, and what is sadder still they receive no 
encouragement in their search. They at last 
reach the city, and then their sorrow is only aug- 
mented, for go where they will they can get no 
tidings of their lost son. They have gone about 
amongst their friends ; they have searched every 
place where they think they might possibly meet 
5 



66 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

him ; they from time to time go to the temple to 
pray, to ask the assistance of his heavenly Father 
and theirs in their eager search for the lost child, 
but still all their efforts, all their prayers are in 
vain. Finally, on the third day, when they had in 
all probability given up hope of ever seeing him 
again, they go into the temple to pray, and to 
their great astonishment see their lost child sitting 
in the midst of the Doctors, hearing them, and 
asking them questions. 

And his mother, more in sorrow than in anger, 
goes to him and in a voice filled with sweetness 
says to him : Son, why hast thou done so to us ? 
Behold thy father and I have sought thee sor- 
rowing. And now, attend to the answer he 
gives her ! How is it that you sought me ? did 
you not know that I must be about my Father's 
business ? Loving and dutiful as he was, kind 
and generous as he was, he even now is willing 
to add to the grief that she has already suffered 
by the sharpness of the answer that he gives her. 
But did he hurt her sensitive soul, by his reply ? 
Far from it, for though he seems to chide her, he 
simply recalls to her the fact that much as he 
loves her, he must place his Father's business 
above all earthly considerations, and that on this 
the very first favorable opportunity he must 
begin to teach the Jewish Doctors concerning the 
new doctrine that he has come on earth to pro- 



FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 67 

mulgate. And though she did not then under- 
stand the word or the reasons of the Almighty 
she treasured them in her heart. 

And now, what is the practical lesson that we 
are to derive from this incident in the early life 
of Christ ? It is this : that if the earthly parents 
who knew full well the dignity of the child 
entrusted to their care and who guarded him 
accordingly, lost him through no fault of their 
own, that we, who at times are not as careful of 
him, and his teachings as we might be, are prone 
to lose him, and that like them we must seek 
him, sorrowing, and when we have found him, 
must take him to our hearts, and resolve for the 
future to guard him so jealously that neither life 
nor death, nor any thing else, will be able to 
separate us from our loving Savior. 

When we have once received the Lord Jesus 
in Baptism we may be said to have him in our 
possession and should try to exercise the same 
care in keeping him as did his earthly parents. 
And once we have received him, there is one way 
and one way only that we may lose him, and 
that one way is through sin. When, knowingly 
and willingly we commit a mortal sin, we not 
only lose the Child Christ, but actually drive 
him from our hearts. But as with the earthly 
parents of Christ, so too with us. We have suf- 
fered a great loss, and go along in the even tenor 



68 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDxlYS. 

of our way little suspecting that the Child is no 
longer with us. Suddenly, the grace of God 
illumines our souls, and we realize that we no 
longer have the Child with us. If we are as de- 
voted to him as we should be, we will follow the 
example of his parents and seek him diligently 
till we find him. And how are we to do that ? 
They have given us the example, and as they 
have done so must we. They retraced their 
steps and so must we. They returned along 
the roads that they had just traveled and so must 
we. And how are we to do that? By a dili- 
gent examination of conscience, for in no other 
way can we discover where we have lost the 
Child. In this self-examination we will find how 
it is that the Child is not with us, and unfortu- 
nately for us we will not be able to console our- 
selves with the thought that we are blameless in 
the matter, for we shall see that it is by sin, and 
grievous mortal sin that we have lost our loving 
Lord and Master. And if we are what we should 
be, what sorrow that loss will cause us to endure. 
We will see that we have been unmindful of the 
trust that God has given us ; that we have left 
a kind and indulgent master, and have taken 
service with his arch enemy. We will see that 
for the momentary gratification of some passion 
we have deserted the standard of Christ, and 
have lost him, and will never recover him unless 



FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 69 

he by his graces moves us to seek him sorrowing. 
And, when by the grace of God we have sorrowed 
for our sins, we, like his earthly parents, must 
return to Jerusalem, that is to his holy Church, 
by the road of a firm purpose of amendment. 
We must be brought to a realizing sense of the 
deplorable state in which we have placed our- 
selves, and then must resolve that when we find 
the Christ we will never more separate ourselves 
from him. But that is not sufficient, for like the 
Child himself, we must go to the Doctors, not as 
he did for the purpose of instructing them, but 
rather to tell them the deplorable state of om 
souls and have them instruct us in the way we 
should seek Christ. 

And now that we have found him we must 
spend days and days with him, trying as much 
as it is in our power to make amends for all the 
trouble that we may have caused him. We must 
take him down to our homes, to the homes that 
we have prepared for him in our hearts, and must 
treasure up the words that he may address to us, 
so that like him, we may grow in wisdom and 
grace before God and men. 

The gospel tells us that he went down with 
them, and was subject to them. Think of it ! 
The God of heaven and earth, subject to his 
earthly parents. What a wonderful condescen- 
sion on the part of God. And yet, is that not 



70 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

what he does for each and every one of us when 
we seek him and find him and take him to our 
hearts in holy Communion ? Does he not become 
subject to us ? Does he not give us every grace 
that we may ask for, provided that he sees that 
what we ask for is best for the affair of our eter- 
nal salvation ? Does he not do even more than 
that, does he not give us his body, and blood, 
soul and divinity to be our supersubstantial food ? 
And if he does all that and more for us, should 
we not at least seek him when we have lost him, 
and seek him where we are sure we shall find 
Mm in the tribunal of penance and in the sacra- 
ment of his love. Seek him and you shall find 
him and no matter how wicked you may have 
been the Lord God will come and take his abode 
in your soul, and you like him will grow in 
wisdom and grace before God and men. 

PRAYER. 

O, Mary, Mother of God and my mother in the 
order of grace, make intercession for me with thy 
Divine Son, and obtain for me the grace that I 
may find him, and never lose him more. By that 
sorrow which filled thy mother's soul, when you 
discovered your terrible loss, I beseech thee to 
pray for me so that I may obtain from the Al- 
mighty, the grace to know the loss that I sustain 
every time I wander from him. I know only too 



FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 71 

well that I have wandered far from him. And not 
only once but nearly every day of my life. My loss 
seems to me at times to be such a natural one that I 
never appreciate what it really is to lose such a 
wonderful treasure. I have at times, it is true, 
tried to find my loving Savior, and have sought 
him as thou didst amid the Doctors in the temple, 
and at such times how well he has consoled me 
for my loss, and what extravagant promises I 
have made to him. I have pressed him to my 
bosom and with tears of joy have assured him 
that never again through any carelessness of mine 
would he be lost, but hardly have my old sinful 
ways and the allurements of the devil beckoned 
me on, when all unmindful of the graces I have 
received and the promises I have made, I have 
wandered far from him. Like a sheep have I 
strayed, going further and further each time from 
my loving Savior, and each time unmindful of 
him for a longer period, till at last there comes 
the time when I rarely if ever think of my terrible 
loss. I seem for the time being to be like an un- 
natural parent who would have little if any con- 
cern for the loss of the child of her bosom ; but 
would depend on neighbors to return him to her. 
That seems at times to be my sad state and at 
such times I beseech you to pray to your Son, 
that he Ijy his grace and his holy inspirations 
may lead me back to the path which would bring 



I 



72 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

me to him. You sought him sorrowing, and I as 
one of your wandering and erring children feel 
that in time you may seek me also, and that no 
matter where you may find me you will bring me 
to the feet of the patient Jesus. Mary, mother 
of God, pray tor me now; pray for me at all 
times, but especially when I am in danger of 
wandering far from God. Your sorrow was but 
temporary and was turned into joy at the sight 
of your Son in the temple with the Doctors, but 
my sorrow will be an eternal one if you as my 
mother do not direct my steps to the tribunal of 
penance, where your Divine Son will address to 
me the all-consoling words: Go in peace, son, thy 
sins are forgiven thee. But it is not enough that 
I should seek him and find him, it is also neces- 
sary that I should keep him when he is found, 
and by your help I intend to do so. Obtain for 
me, then, the grace to treasure him up in my 
heart when I receive him in the Eucharist, so 
that I as your child, may as did Jesus of old, in- 
crease in wisdom and grace before God and men. 
Mary, mother of God, pray for me. 



SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 73 

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 

Gospel. — John ii, 1-11. 

And the third day, there was a marriage in 
Cana of Galilee : and the mother of Jesus was 
there. And Jesus also was invited, and his dis- 
ciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, 
the mother of Jesus saith to him : They have no 
wine. And Jesus saith to her: Woman, what is 
that to me and to thee? my hour is not yet come. 
His mother saith to the waiters : Whatsoever he 
shall say to you, do ye. Now there were set 
there six water pots of stone, according to the 
manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing 
two or three measures apiece. Jesus saith to 
them : Fill the water-pots with water. And they 
filled them up to the brim. And Jesus saith to 
them: Draw out now, and carry to the chief 
steward of the feast. And they carried it. And 
when the chief steward had tasted the water 
made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the 
waiters knew who had drawn the water; the 
chief steward calleth the bridegroom, and saith to 
him: Every man at first setteth forth good 
wine, and when men have well drunk, then that 
which is worse. But thou has kept the good 
wine until now. This beginning of miracles did 



V 



74 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

Jesus in Cana of Galilee; and manifested his glory 
and his disciples believed in him. 

INSTRUCTION. 

As on a former occasion the Blessed Virgin 
had presented her Divine Son in the temple, so 
now she presents him to the world that he had 
come to redeem. Our Lord had not as yet taken 
his position in the world; in fact little if anything 
was known of him except what was known to his 
mother and his chosen disciples. And even at 
this time he could hardly be said to have chosen 
his disciples, for though the gospel mentions them 
as being at the wedding feast, they were not his 
followers in the sense that they afterwards were 
when later they became his chosen friends, but 
rather were undergoing the preliminary training 
which was to fit them for the arduous duties that 
they would be called upon to perform; in a word 
they were but beginning the training that was to 
make them fishers of men. Up to this time 
he had only selected Peter, Andrew, John, and 
Philip. He had, no doubt, told them of the 
mission that he was about to undertake, but as 
later events proved fully, they had to be strength- 
ened if they were to become his true disciples, 
and bear willingly all the hardships that would 
sooner or later fall to the lot of each and every 
one of them. At the time mentioned, our Lord 



SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 75 

was in Bethania, assisting, no doubt, at the bap- 
tism of St. John. It is a matter of belief with 
some that the marriage was that of a relative of 
his earthly parents, and it is but reasonable to 
suppose that some one of the vast crowds who 
had flocked to hear St. John would inform him 
of the coming nuptials. Or would it be too much 
to assume, since he was to work a miracle at the 
feast, that he knew of it, as he knew of all other 
things, as a matter of divine knowledge ? Be the 
source of the information what it may, we find that 
he was at the wedding, and in the words of the 
gospel: This beginning of miracles did Jesus in 
Cana of Galilee ; and manifested his glory and his 
disciples believed in him. 

And under what lowly circumstances did he 
perform his first miracle ! As on the occasion of 
his birth, he gave us a lesson in humility, and 
presented himself to the poor and needy that they 
might be the first to come and adore him, so now, 
animated by a like spirit, he performs the first 
miracle for the poor and lowly. He did not 
wait for the time when he would be surrounded 
by a vast concourse of people, as so often hap- 
pened in his public career ; he does not wait till 
his reputation has been established as a great 
teacher, so that he would have attracted the 
people from the surrounding towns ; he does not 
perform it for one of the great ones of earth ; 



Y6 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

but at the behest of his mother, and that, too, at 
a lowly wedding feast. A poor man, a relative, 
as has been said, of the Blessed Virgin, is cele- 
brating his wedding — a wedding lasting two 
days instead of the usual seven-day feast, and 
yet the wine runs short. That fact alone 
will give us some idea of the poverty of the 
bridegroom, and should instill in us a love 
for God, who would condescend to do such a 
wonderful thing for one of the poorest of his 
creatures. What a sad commentary that is on 
the lives and the conduct of the great ones of 
earth, and even on the lives of many of us who 
profess to be followers of the Christ. How many 
of us would have graced such a wedding-feast 
with our presence, and how many of us would have 
had any concern at all for the discomfiture of 
the host ? Not so with the Blessed Virgin and 
her Son, They not only attend the wedding, 
though far above the people in station, but seem 
to have a care for the creature comforts of the 
guests. And should we not take a lesson from 
their conduct and do all we can to make people 
happy and contented whenever opportunity 
offers ? 

And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus 
saith to him : They have no wine. Imagine, if 
you can, the feelings of the bridegroom when the 
steward informs him that his supply of wine is 



SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 77 

exhausted. He feels that he will be disgraced in 
the eyes of his guests, and in his misery he 
goes to the Blessed Virgin seeking at her hands 
some little consolation, but never dreaming of 
what is about to happen. He is weighed down 
with sadness at a time when he should be 
supremely happy. How can he approach his 
other guests and tell them that there is no more 
wine, and that the feast must come to an abrupt 
end? What will they say? What will they 
think ? These and countless other thoughts of a 
like nature must have come to him, and each, if 
possible, must have made him more miserable 
than the preceding ones. But Mary, the mother 
of Jesus is there, and with that tender solicitude 
which she has ever since evinced for her children, 
she makes intercession with her Son, and her prayer 
is heard, and the embarrassment of the host is 
relieved. Hardly has the information been given 
to her when she says to her Son : They have no 
wine. How gently, and yet how nicely she tells 
him of the need of the host, and at the same 
time without appearing to do so, asks him to 
supply his wants. She knows that it will require 
a miracle on the part of her Son to supply the 
deficiency ; she knows, too, that it will be the 
beginning of a separation which will last all 
through his public ministry, and yet she is self- 
sacrificing enough, and generous enough to make 



78 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

the request. Mark ye well, that it was not that 
our Lord should show his divine authority by a 
sign of his power ; nor even that he might put 
his enemies, if he had any at that time, to shame ; 
nor was it for the sake of gaining and strength- 
ening his disciples and followers that this mira- 
cle was performed, but simply to show us 
the love that he bore for his mother, and the 
power and the influence that she then had and 
still wields over him. There was no apparent 
spiritual reason why he should change water into 
wine, but yet, like all his other public acts, he did 
this that he might bestow a certain reward, not 
only for these in whose interest it was done, but 
also for the good influence that it would have on 
all peoples in time to come. 

And Jesus said to her : Woman, what is that 
to me and to thee. Woman ! How harsh that term 
sounds to us, and yet we now know that it was 
a term of great respect, and who can doubt that 
it was uttered in tones of love such as none but 
the Son of God could use.- Who can consider for 
even a brief moment that he wished to reproach 
her, when, a moment later, he performs his first 
miracle, and that, too, without any further request 
from her. What greater testimony of his love 
could he have given her than to anticipate the 
time of his public ministry, in order that he might 
answer her prayer ? Her mother's instinct tells 



SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 79 

her more plainly than any words could have done 
that he will perform even a miracle at her re- 
quest ; she seems to anticipate that he will say to 
her as Solomon said to his mother : My mother, 
ask ; for I must not turn my face away. And, 
like the mother of Solomon, she seems to say to 
him : I desire one small petition of thee ; do not 
put me to confusion. He answers her in words 
which show that he will not refuse her. He 
tells her that his hour has not yet come, but as a 
signal favor to her he will anticipate the time for 
his first miracle solely in response to her request. 
And what valuable lessons we may draw from 
this incident not only in the matter of our daily 
lives, but also in those things which pertain to 
the affairs of our eternal salvation. We see here 
that Jesus did not refuse the request of his mother, 
and that he worked his first miracle for her. What, 
then, is more reasonable than to suppose that 
now that they are both in heaven he is still will- 
ing to do anything that she may ask him to do. 
And as she is our mother as well as his, is it not 
reasonable to suppose that she will do all in her 
power to help us, especially since in doing so she 
is adding to the accidental glory of her Son ? In 
our daily lives there are special graces that we 
need from time to time, and yet we may never 
think of asking for them. We need special 
favors from the Almighty, and for one reason or 



80 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

another we dare not, or at least do not approach 
him to make known our wants. Like the bride- 
groom in this gospel we will soon be put to 
shame and confusion, and is there none to save 
us from it ? Is there none to make intercession 
with the Son of God that we may obtain the 
favor we stand so much in need of ? Ah ! yes, 
there is one who sees and knows our wants, and 
will sooner or later make them known to her 
Son. Like a good and careful mother she watches 
over us and even at times when we do not 
recognize our needs she sees them and makes pro- 
vision for them. She seems to whisper to our 
souls as she did to the steward : Whatsoever he 
shall say to you, do you. And if like him we 
have faith in her, how fully that faith shall be 
rewarded, for then Jesus will perform miracles 
in our behalf, not miracles in the natural order, 
but in the supernatural, in the order of grace, for 
he will give us refreshment, not for our bodies 
but for our souls. It may be that many of you 
have been praying to the Blessed Virgin, and 
she has not answered your prayer, but in that 
case, may she not say to us, as her Son has said 
to her : My hour is not yet come. It may be 
that what we have been praying for is not what 
the Lord God may know is best for our souls, 
and for that reason he will not answer even the 
prayer of his mother in our behalf. When we 



SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 81 

ask the Lord for favors from time to time and he 
seems to turn a deaf ear to all our entreaties 
should we not take courage from the answer that 
he gave his mother and feel that in his own good 
time, and not when we may consider is the 
proper time that all our prayers will be answered. 
If then we send up our petitions to the great 
white throne of God through his Immaculate 
Mother, we will receive an answer to them, for 
Mary who caused Christ to work his first miracle 
will storm heaven for us, and he will not turn 
his face from her but will speedily answer her 
prayers in our behalf. 

PRAYER. 

O, Mary, most tender-hearted Mother of God 
and my mother, pray to him for me that I may 
obtain through thy intercession the many graces 
of which I stand in need. Like the bridegroom 
in the gospel I am at times all unconscious of my 
sore needs, and like him I must come to you for 
assistance. As the loving and dutiful child ap- 
proaches his earthly mother with a spirit of con- 
fidence that nothing can dispel, so do I in times of 
trouble and temptation go to thee, my mother and 
advocate. Many a time have I gone to thee with 
the request that thou wouldst make intercession 
for me with thy Divine Son and never yet hast 

thou failed me. If there have been times when 
6 






82 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

I did not go to you as quickly as I might have 
done, or should have done, it was not that I 
lacked the confidence to do so, but rather that 
I was unmindful of my own necessities. As the 
earthly mother foresees and at times provides 
for the wants of the child, and, that too, when the 
child cannot make known his wants, or is igno- 
rant of them, so has it been with you, and not 
once but I might say all the time. Thou hast 
not only foreseen my spiritual need but with that 
tender care and watchful solicitude which has 
ever been one of thy chief glories thou hast pro- 
vided for them. When the wine of divine grace 
has run short in my soul thou hast seen my needs 
and hast encouraged me to do all things that 
thy Divine Son might say to me. In my hours 
of need, in times of tribulation, when assailed 
by temptations thou hast ever been my sure 
refuge. Thy Divine Son worked his first miracle 
at your request and is constantly bestowing 
favors on thy devoted children for thy sweet 
sake. If in the past I seem to have been un- 
grateful, or even unmindful of the favors that he 
has bestowed on me, obtain from him for me that 
I may appreciate fully for the future all that he 
may do for me, and in return for the favors that 
you will obtain for me, I shall do all that I can to 
promote thy glory. Make intercession for me, 
for whatsoever thou askest of thy Son shall be 



THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 83 

granted, for never has it been known that he re- 
fused thee anything. Immaculate Mother of 
God, and protectress of sinners, pray for me, and 
for all who have recourse to thee. 



THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 

Gospel. — Matthew viii. 1-13. 

At that time, when Jesus was come down 
from the mountain, great multitudes followed 
him. And behold a leper came and adored him 
saying : Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me 
clean. And Jesus stretching forth his hand, 
touched him, saying : I will, be thou made clean. 
And forthwith his leprosy was cleansed. And 
Jesus saith to him : See thou tell no man : but 
go, show thyself to the priest, and offer the gift 
which Moses commanded for a testimony unto 
them. And when he had entered into Caphar- 
naum, there came to him a centurion, beseeching 
him, and saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home 
sick of the palsy, and is grievously tormented. 
And Jesus saith to him : I will come and heal 
him. And the centurion making answer, said: 
Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter 
under my roof ; but only say the word, and my 
servant shall be healed. For I also am a man 
subject to authority, having under me soldiers; 



84 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

and I say to this, Go, and he goeth, and to an- 
other, Come, and he cometh, and to my servant, 
Do this, and he doeth it. And Jesus hearing 
this marvelled ; and said to them that followed 
him : Amen I say to you, I have not found so 
great faith in Israel. And I say to you that 
many shall come from the east and the west, and 
shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac and 
Jacob in the kingdom of heaven : but the chil- 
dren of the kingdom shall be cast out into the 
exterior darkness : there shall be weepin'g and 
gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said to the cen- 
turion : Go, and as thou hast believed, so be it 
done to thee. And the servant was healed at 
the same hour, 

INSTRUCTION. 

And behold a leper came and adored him, 
saying : Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me 
clean. Behold the picture of the man who is 
suffering from the dread leprosy of sin! The 
description of the physical condition of that man 
would be too revolting, and so we pass over it in 
silence, simply saying that it was a disease which 
had baffled, and continues to baffle, all the efforts 
of the doctors to cure it. As in the case of the 
leper spoken of there was but one man who could 
cure it, so too. in the case of the man suffering 
from the dread leprosy of sin there is one, and 



THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 85 

one only who can cure it, and that one is Christ 
Jesus the Lord. Let us then resolve that if we 
are tainted with sin to go to him as did the leper 
and say to him : Lord, if thou wilt thou canst 
make me clean, and in our cases as in his he will 
say to us : I will ; be thou made clean. 

If we could but form some idea of the awful, 
the terrible torture that leprosy caused that poor 
unfortunate man, we could readily understand 
how gladly he conformed to the condition im- 
posed upon him by our Lord, and how quickly 
and how joyously he went to show himself to 
the priest. To the man suffering from spiritual 
leprosy Christ gives the same injunction: Go, 
show thyself to the priest, and if he would realize 
his sad state he would willingly do so, and would 
hear the words of Christ spoken over him, and 
the joy which would fill his soul would cause 
him to resolve never to sin again. 

Leprosy may be said to be a living death. 
Once contracted the sufferer became a social out- 
cast, and could not be harbored by his relatives 
or friends, but had to go outside the walled city 
and at the approach of any one had to cry out, 
Unclean ! Unclean ! lest by contact with him 
they might be contaminated. Sin is a form of 
leprosy, for it causes the death of the soul, and 
he who suffers from it should cry out Unclean ! 
Unclean! lest his very presence might cause 



86 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

others to suffer the same sad fate. He should 
cry out to Christ who is continually passing near 
him to make him clean. Christ is near him at 
all times, ready and willing and anxious to hear 
his prayer. He will say to him : Go, and show 
thyself to the priest, and if he follows that advice 
he will present himself to the minister of God in 
the tribunal of penance, and will hear him say : 
Go in peace, thy sins are forgiven thee. And 
what a change shall come over the soul of that 
man ! His soul which had just been a sink of 
rottenness and corruption, will if he has been 
sincere in his confession be made whiter than 
snow. That soul which was the dwelling place 
of the devil, will become the abode of the Al- 
mighty God, and will experience a joy which no 
man can take from it. Is there any one suffering 
from the leprosy of sin ? Then let him, following 
the example of the man in the gospel, present 
himself to the only one who can perform a cure 
in his case. Let him arise from the sleep of 
death, and return to his Father's house from 
which he has long been an exile, and from an 
object of loathing become clean and pure in the 
sight of God and man. 

And there came to him a centurion, saying : 
Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, 
and is grievously tormented. Here is a lesson 
for every man whether he be saint or sinner. 



THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 87 

The centurion spoken of was not a great poten* 
tate, but one in charge of a small detachment of 
soldiers. He was not of the household of the 
new faith that Christ was teaching, but no doubt 
had heard of him, and may have had some per- 
sonal acquaintance with him. His servant was 
sick, and as he says was grievously tormented. 
Animated with a spirit of charity he goes to the 
Lord and asks him to perform a miracle, not for 
himself but for the servant. What a lesson for 
all of us ! How many of us would have done as 
much for one who had little if any claim on us ? 
In all probability very few. In a few words he 
asks the Lord to cure his servant, telling him of 
the nature of the disease, and feeling that he of all 
men will be able to cure it, and that too without 
even going near the patient. How many of us are 
animated with a like faith ? How many of us even 
after we have experienced many signal favors at 
the hands of Christ would dare approach him and 
ask him with the same faith to cure one who was 
near and dear to us. We all have some one near 
and dear to us who at times is sick with the 
palsy caused by the many sins that we commit 
from time to time. And, unfortunately for us it 
is not always our servant, or even our friends 
and relatives who are sick, but our masters, our 
own individual, immortal souls, and even though 
we know it to be sick, do we like the centurion go 



88 SHOBT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

to Christ and ask that it be cured ? How often 
has our master, our soul been sick, and though 
Jesus of Nazareth was passing by ; passing by, 
by his inspirations, his graces, and in countless 
other ways, and how rarely, if ever, have we asked 
him to stop and perform a cure for us. Let us 
compare our conduct with that of the centurion 
and see who will suffer thereby. 

And Jesus said: I will come and heal him. 
Imagine the consternation of the centurion when 
he heard the reply of the Savior ! Words seem 
to fail him ; he does not seem to know what to 
say in reply to such a signal favor, and in his 
embarrassment cries out : Lord, I am not worthy 
that thou shouldst enter under my roof, but only 
say the word and my servant shall be healed. 
Oh, the depths of meaning in those words : oh, 
the world of faith contained therein! Simple 
though they be, what words compare with them 
in the expression of deep and heartfelt humility. 
What words of mortal man have been so often 
repeated by priests and people in all the ages of 
the Churdh. Every time the host is placed upon 
your tongue you cry out, and it is to be hoped in 
the same spirit of faith as did the centurion: 
Lord : I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter 
under my roof, but only say the word and my 
soul shall be healed. 

And Jesus said, behold, I have not found so 



THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 89 

great faith in Israel. Could it be that Christ had 
not known the condition of soul of the centurion 
before he had asked him for this favor ? Of a 
certainty not, for he knew all things ; but by 
his words he wished to show the Jews that they 
had not only not appreciated the gifts that God 
had bestowed upon them with a lavish hand, but 
had actually neglected them. He wished to 
show them that although they had been called to 
the true faith and the centurion had not, that he 
and not they had the true faith which moveth 
mountains and obtains for its happy possessor 
the choicest gifts of God. He had been in 
their midst for some time, and had taught 
them by word and example, and yet they had 
not the same faith in him that this unbe- 
liever had. And he rebukes them by telling 
them that he had not found such great faith 
in Israel. And unfortunately for many of us, 
are we not worthy of the same rebuke from 
the mouth of the Savior ? Called to the one true 
faith, feeling in our heart of hearts that Christ is 
ever present in the tabernacle, we go on from 
day to day with our master, not our servant, 
grievously tormented with the leprosy of sin, 
and never think of asking the Lord to come 
and cure him. That servant trembled, yea, 
rather shook from head to foot, from morning 
till night, with no surcease from his sufferings ; 



90 SHOKT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

unable to direct his steps, or to do anything for 
himself, he waited as patiently as he could, the 
only relief that he could expect, and that relief 
was death. Like him, we are subject to death if 
we do not receive a permanent cure, and there is 
but one that can cure us and save us, and let us, 
therefore, once we recognize that our souls are 
tainted with either the leprosy or palsy of 
sin, go to the Lord, and say to him in words of 
deepest faith : Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst 
make me clean, and in a spirit of heartfelt 
humility add : Lord, I am not worthy that thou 
shouldst enter under my roof, but only say the 
word and my soul shall be healed, and the good 
and merciful Lord who cured the leper, and the 
servant of the centurion, will heal your soul, and 
you will experience a peace and tranquillity of 
soul, even in this world, that no man can take 
from you, and in the next you will sit down with 
Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of 
heaven. 

PEAYEE. 

Too well, O God, do I see my own soul typified 
by the men mentioned in this gospel. Too often, 
alas, has my soul suffered from the dread lep- 
rosy of mortal sin, and blinded to my own sad 
state I have heard you pass by, and have never 
cried out to you to have pity on me and cure me. 



THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 91 

But to-day I am resolved that I shall never 
incur such a dread penalty by any deliberate act 
of mine ; but if I should be so unfortunate as to 
stray from thee again, and become an object of 
loathing to thee, do thou in thy infinite mercy 
animate me to cry out : Lord, if thou wilt, thou 
canst make me clean. Many a time I have 
recognized that I was suffering from the leprosy 
of sin, and instead of seeking out the doctor of 
my soul, I have sought the company of those 
who have but aggravated my disease. I have 
shown myself, not to thy priest, but to my sinful 
companions, and all they have done for me has 
but added to the agony that I was enduring. 
But to-day I am going to show myself to the 
priest, that is to thee, in the tabernacle, and later 
to thy minister in the tribunal of penance, and 
fully hope to hear thee say to me : I will ; be thou 
made clean. And once I have been made clean, 
I shall present myself to thee again, and shall 
then cry out in the words of the centurion : Lord, 
I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under 
my roof, but only say the word and my soul 
shall be healed, and once healed, I shall do all in 
my power to conform to the many graces that I 
know you will deign to grant me. I am not 
worthy that thou shouldst come to me. Nay ? 
though my soul were as pure in thy sight as is the 
purest of the angelic host, I would still be 



92 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

unworthy to receive thee, but since thou art good 
and gracious enough to come to me, I shall try 
with all the power at my command to cleanse 
and purify my soul, and by the help of thy grace 
shall keep it free from all sin, and shall do 
everything possible to avoid the occasion of sin 
for the future. Give me, O my God, a strong, a 
living faith, a faith like unto that of the cen- 
turion, so that I may merit to live a good and 
holy life, and at death merit to sit with thee in 
heaven, there to enjoy forever and forever the 
reward which thou hast promised to all thy 
faithful followers. My Jesus, mercy. 



FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 
Gospel. — Matt. viii. 23-27. 

At that time: When Jesus had entered into the 
boat, his disciples followed him: and behold a 
great tempest arose in the sea, so that the boat 
was covered with waves, but he was asleep. And 
they came to him, and awaked him, saying : Lord 
save us, we perish. And Jesus saith to them : 
Why are you so fearful, O ye of little faith ? Then 
rising up he commanded the winds, and the sea, 
and there came a great calm. But the men won- 
dered, saying : What manner of man is this, for 
the winds and the sea obey him ? 



FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 93 

INSTRUCTION. 

It might be well for us before proceeding to the 
consideration of this gospel, to recall to mind that 
Christ had just addressed a vast multitude of 
people, and that the effort must have left him 
more or less exhausted. He had just come down 
from the mountain side where he had delivered 
the sermon which in all probability has done 
more to change the conduct of men than any- 
other one of his public utterances, for he had just 
delivered what is known to all the world as the 
Sermon on the Mount. And when we begin to 
try to realize the effect that sermon has had on 
the world at large, we can form some idea of the 
influence that it must have had on those who 
were fortunate enough to have heard it. They 
pressed Jesus on all sides, even now unwilling to 
lose sight of him for the briefest time. On the 
way to his home he had cured the leper, and the 
servant of the centurion. Going into the house 
of his chief apostle he cured the mother-in-law of 
Peter, and as the gospel tells us : When evening 
was come, they brought to him many that were 
possessed with devils ; and he cast out the spirits 
with his word ; and all that were sick he healed : 
that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by 
the prophet Isaias, saying: He took our infirmities 
and bore our diseases. And Jesus seeing great 



94 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

multitudes about him gave orders to pass over 
the water. 

These then were the chief incidents that pre- 
ceeded the events spoken of in to-day's gospel. 
Is it to be wondered at that Christ was tired, and 
that he slept even when the waves covered the 
boat ? In fancy we can see that small boat with 
the Savior in the stern of it, sleeping the sleep 
which comes only to those who have labored long 
and hard. No doubt all was placid on the lake 
when he embarked, but in a short time thereafter 
the winds and the sea arose and threatened to 
engulf the frail craft, and the apostles and dis- 
ciples cried out in terror: Lord save us, we perish. 
It seems almost incredible that men who had 
been following the sea all their lives should cry 
out to one whom they knew to be a carpenter, 
and therefore not acquainted with the sea to come 
to their assistance in their time of trouble. But 
the fact that they did so shows that they knew 
also that he was not an ordinary man, and their 
faith in him was such that they felt and believed 
that he could even still the waves, and thinking 
of nothing but their immediate danger they cry 
out to him, and he at once answers their prayers 
by stilling the tempest. 

Behold in this a picture of the struggles of the 
ship of the Church which Christ came on earth to 
establish. Many a time must Peter have thought 



FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 95 

of that storm at sea when the storms of persecu- 
tion arose and threatened to engulf the newly 
established Church. And as in the days of Peter, 
so too, in the later days of the Church when she was 
assailed from every side, and there seemed to be 
nothing for her but destruction and shipwreck. 
But the voice that calmed the sea was ever and 
always ready to cry out against the waves of 
persecution, and Christ the founder of the Church 
has ever been at the helm, guiding her safely into 
port and will continue to do so, no matter how 
violently the storms may rage against her. 

But it is not of the Church that we should think 
to-day but of our own individual selves. Like 
Peter and the others who were in that frail boat 
with Christ, we too are sailing on the trou- 
blous waters of life's ocean, and if we are not 
careful the storms will arise and engulf us, unless 
we cry out as did the apostles of old : Lord, save 
us, we perish. Let us examine our daily lives 
and see how strictly the gospel applies to us, and 
see if we too should not cry out, not once but 
many times each day : Lord save us, we perish. 

On arising in the morning, many of us are so 
pressed for time that we leave our homes for our 
daily avocations without ever raising our hearts 
to God to thank him for the favors of the night, 
or to ask him for the grace that we may need 
during the day. Is that not an occasion when we 



96 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

should cry out : Lord, save us, we perish ? Not 
that I would have you understand that any one 
will perish simply because he neglects for a time 
his morning prayers, but is he not in danger of 
being engulfed by the waves of temptation that 
will surely assail him during the day. While at 
work he may be tempted in countless ways and 
at the time of every temptation should cry out, 
for the Lord is his protector and his strength and 
unless he comes to his assistance he will surely 
perish. The world is one of the chief sources of 
danger that we have to encounter, and that for 
the very good reason that siren-like it is ever at- 
tempting to lead us far from God. In the work- 
shop, the counting-house, the office, in fact 
wherever men are gathered, there is always 
present the danger of temptation. Many there 
are who consider it the part of manhood to swear 
and to cause others to do so ; others seem to think 
that it enhances them in the eyes of men to tell 
the lewd story or the ribald jest. These are all 
sources of temptation to us, and are really the 
times that we should cry out : Lord, save us ; we 
perish. It may be that in our daily business we 
may be tempted to steal ; that we may be assailed 
by impure thoughts or desires ; that our sinful 
companions may strive to lead us to places that 
we feel in our hearts we should shun, for we 
know from experience that they are the occasion 



FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 97 

of sin to us, and at such times also we should cry- 
out or we will perish. In our intercourse with 
others we may have reason, or rather think we 
have, to give way to anger : we may see thoso 
about us whom we know to be dishonest, and yet 
in the eyes of the world they seem to be success- 
ful, and we feel that if opportunity offered that 
we too might take that which does not belong to 
us : we are poor and we envy the rich ; or what 
seems still harder to bear we may have become 
reduced in circumstances, and we feel that our lot 
is very hard to bear : we do all we are able to do, 
and yet our families are almost destitute ; we are 
in a sad state physically, and alas too often 
spiritually ; in a word everything seems to go 
wrong with us, and we are almost tempted to 
despair, or what is still worse to fly in the face of 
Providence. These and countless other tempta- 
tions may come to us and in our weakened 
spiritual state we are about to be engulfed by the 
waves, but we cry out : Lord save us, we perish, 
and if that short prayer is said with the same 
spirit of faith as it was when said by the apostles 
the answer will be just as speedy and just as 
certain. 

Some will say I have experienced many trials 

and I have cried out to the Lord to save me and 

he has not heard me, but has turned a deaf ear 

to my prayer. If that be the case may we not be 

7 



98 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

amenable to the rebuke of St. James when he 
said, You ask and you receive not, because 
you ask amiss. True it is that the Lord may be 
sleeping as he was in the case of the apostles, but 
if your prayer be heartfelt, and what you ask for 
is for the good of your soul your prayer will 
awaken him, and he will calm the waves and 
bring you safely into port. He did not still the 
waves at the first cry of the apostles : he slept 
on and on, and not till they were firmly con- 
vinced that there was no escape for them did he 
calm their fears and say : Peace, be still. He did 
that so they might be given a greater proof of 
his omnipotent power. He did not still the 
waves at the first cry of the apostles, lest perhaps 
they might not appreciate fully their danger, or 
the fact that they were saved only after they had 
given up all hope. And so too is it in the matter 
of our temptations. Apparently he is asleep, and 
does not hear our cry, but he will not allow us 
to be overcome, but will make issue with temp- 
tation, and will not even allow us to be tempted 
above our strength, but allows the storm to rage 
in our hearts so that we may see that it is stilled 
by his power, and not by our own unaided efforts. 
But rising up he commanded the waves and 
there came a great calm. We have all exper- 
ienced the great storm of temptation from time 
to time, and we have also experienced the great 



FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 99 

calm ; that calm which is the sign, and at the 
same time the reward of a good conscience. 
In our lives we may have been great sin- 
ners, but by the grace of God we are moved 
and at last make up our minds that we will 
seek our Savior in the tribunal of penance, 
and in the Sacrament of his love. At first the 
storm begins to rage all the more violently : the 
devil assails us with renewed energy ; tells us of 
all the trouble we will have in making a good 
confession ; that our sinful companions will de- 
ride us ; that we will fall into the same old sins 
almost before we have had time to reform ; that 
there is no hope for us here or hereafter and that 
it is but a mockery for us to go to the feet of 
Christ; he gives us countless reasons for not 
going to confession, but we cry out : Lord, save 
us, we perish, and Christ will still the waves for 
us ; he will pardon us our sins ; he will come to 
us and take up his abode with us, and our hearts 
will experience a joy which no man can take 
from us ; a joy which will be a foretaste of what 
we shall enjoy when guided by the pilot of our 
souls we steer our hearts to the port of heaven. 

PRAYER. 

Lord, save us, we perish ! How simple that 
prayer, and yet how great the reward that it 
obtained. Every day of my life, O Lord, am I in 

LOfC 



> 



100 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

the same sad straits as were the apostles, but un- 
like them I am unmindful of thy presence, and 
the waves of sin wash over me, and while they 
at times terrify me, rarely if ever do they cause 
me to cry out and ask thee to save me. From 
my earliest childhood I have been saying a like 
prayer to thee, and if it has not been answered, 
the fault is all mine, O God, for thou hast assured 
us that whatsoever we ask the Father in thy 
name will be granted to us. In my daily prayers 
I say give us this day our daily bread, and lead 
us not into temptation, but do I say that with 
the same fervor as did the apostles when they 
cried out : Lord, save us, we perish. And yet the 
prayer is different only in the words used. They 
were asking for a favor which none but God could 
give, and so it is with me whenever I send my 
petitions to thee. They were asking for tem- 
poral relief, and I too am forced to do the same 
every day of my life. In the temporal as well as 
in the spiritual affairs I am helpless unless thou 
comest to my assistance. Do thou aid me, and 
in times of trial, in times of temptation when 
the devil seems about to overcome me, give me 
the grace I need to cry out from my heart : Lord 
save us, we perish ; so that I may lead such a holy 
life that I may merit one day to be with thee in 
heaven. 



FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 101 

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 

Gospel. — Matt. xiii. 24-30. 

At that time : Jesus spoke this parable to the 
multitude, saying : The kingdom of heaven is 
likened to a man that sowed good seed in his 
field. But while men were asleep his enemy 
came and oversowed cockle among the wheat and 
went his away. And when the blade was sprung 
up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared also the 
cockle. And the servants of the goodman of the 
house coming, said to him : Sir, didst thou not 
sow good seed in thy field ? Whence then hath 
it the cockle ? And he said to them . An enemy 
hath done this. And the servants said to him : 
Wilt thou that we go and gather it up ? And he 
said : No, lest perhaps gathering up the cockle, 
you root up the wheat also together with it. 
Suffer both to grow until the harvest, and in the 
time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: 
Gather up first the cockle, and bind it in bundles 
to burn, but the wheat gather ye into my barn. 

INSTRUCTION. 

Many and varied are the explanations given of 
this parable of our Lord, and one and all, they 
seem to refer in some way to the condition of the 



-^ 



102 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

Church as an organization rather than to the 
individuals who compose the Church. But it 
seems there is one sentence at least that every 
one may apply to himself, and that is the reply 
of the husbandman to the servants when he 
said : Suffer both to grow until the harvest, and 
in the time of the harvest I will say to the 
reapers : Gather up first the cockle, and bind it 
into bundles to burn, but the wheat gather ye 
into my barn. There seems to be but one ex- 
planation of that sentence, and that is that it 
refers to the day of the last, or the general 
judgment. 

The field, then, is the world in general, such as 
we know it to be ; that field where every man 
seems to be working out his eternal destiny 
according to his own notion of the eternal fitness 
of things. Here we see the good and the bad 
and the indifferent all pursuing the even tenor of 
their various ways, and the thought forces itself 
on us from time to time, why is it that God 
allows the good and the bad to live as we see 
them : why is it that apparently he allows the 
wicked to thrive, and the good, or those who ap- 
pear to be the good men, the very salt of the 
earth, he seems to visit with affliction and sor- 
row ? And in our wisdom we seem to say to 
him, as did the servants in the gospel, Didst 
thou not sow good seed in thy field, whence 



FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 103 

then hath it the cockle ? Or, in other words : 
Didst thou not create all men to be good, and 
didst thou not die for all ; then how is it that so 
few are good and the many seem to be so bad, so 
thoroughly unmindful of you, and yet seem to 
thrive even more than those who are always and 
ever doing thy holy will ? Why is it that thou 
dost not destroy them, and leave none but the 
good to inherit and enjoy this beautiful earth that 
thou didst make for them? And to all who 
speak thus to the Almighty he seems to reply : 
Suffer all to grow until the harvest, and then I 
will say : Gather up the bad and the wicked to 
burn for all eternity, but the good and the long- 
suffering, and the meek and lowly, gather into 
my heavenly abode, where they shall enjoy the 
presence of God forever and forever. This, then, 
is the salutary thought that the gospel seems to 
inculcate : that the day of the harvest is the day 
of the last, or general judgment, and that the 
cockles are the wicked who are to burn in hell 
fire for all eternity, and the wheat typifies the 
good who are to enjoy the Beatific Vision as long 
as God shall be God. Let us then consider 
briefly the chief events that are to take place on 
the day of the general judgment, and without 
drawing any fanciful or terrifying picture, let us 
appeal to our own reason, and from what we 
know of the conduct of court trials, try to pre- 



V 



104 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

sent ourselves at the bar of Divine Justice, and 
pronounce the sentence on ourselves that we 
think our past and present lives deserve, and if 
by any possibility we are forced to think that we 
should be with the wicked, let us pray the 
Almighty God for the grace to reform our lives, 
so that when that awful day comes we may not 
be bundled for the burning, but rather be invited 
by the householder to enter the mansion pre- 
pared for us, where eye hath not seen, nor ear 
heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man, 
what things God hath prepared for them that 
love him. 

In fancy, then, we can picture to ourselves 
the scene of the last judgment, and oh, what a 
terrible scene it is ! The body, which has so long 
been separated from the soul, is by a miracle 
of God joined to it again. And oh, how sad, how 
terrible that meeting shall be if by any fault of 
ours we have been condemned to eternal death, 
but how happy it shall be if we have been 
faithful and have received the reward of the 
just. 

Let us first consider the condition of the repro- 
bate. Soul and body meet after a long sepa- 
ration, and what terrible charges one makes 
against the other. Then they shall see each 
other as they really are; the body, which has 
given the sinner so much forbidden pleasure, 



FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 105 

shall now appear in all its loathsomeness, cov- 
ered with the leprosy of sin. And the soul, 
which would be resplendent with the grace of 
£od and vying in brightness with the noonday 
sun, shall appear as a black and hideous monster, 
from which the body will recoil in terror. But 
while the body and soul are engaged in crimina- 
tion and recrimination, the Son of God appears 
clothed in all his majesty and accompanied by 
the twelve Apostles, ready to judge all mankind, 
and to mete out to them the strictest justice 
according to the lives they have lived. Then 
shall the wicked cry out in terror: then shall 
they call upon the mountains to fall on them, 
and hide them from the awful presence of the 
offended God ; then shall they cry out to have 
the bottomless pits of hell open and swallow 
them, for they realize that they are not fit to 
stand in the presence of Deity even to be 
judged. But they have sinned publicly, and 
publicly they shall be judged. Then, and then 
only, will they be able to see mortal sin in all its 
enormity, and realize what an awful price they 
have paid for the gratification of their passions. 
The proud, the unjust, the lustful man, shall 
then see himself in all his hideousness, and not 
as he appeared before his sinful companions. He 
will see himself then as the Almighty sees him, 
and the sight will make him cry out in terror 



106 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

and cause him to attempt to flee from the pres- 
ence of God. But he knows that hell is to be his 
portion for all eternity, and terrible as it is, it is 
for him better than the presence of his Judge. 
But he will have to testify to the justice of the 
sentence that is to be meted out to him, and pub- 
licly must acknowledge that God has done all in 
his power to save him; but he would not be 
saved, and preferred his sinful life to that marked 
out by his Creator and Savior. 

And when he is ready to depart, after the 
awful sentence, depart from me ye cursed into 
everlasting fire, has been pronounced, he is 
made to endure something which shall add to his 
torment all the time he shall be in hell. And 
what is that? What else can it be but the 
judgment of the blessed; those men whom he 
laughed to scorn when they were both on earth ? 
There they come in long array, clothed in the 
garments of heaven, their faces shining as the sun, 
and singing the praises of God who redeemed 
them. To them the Almighty Judge turns, and 
says : Well done, you good and faithful servants. 
When I was hungry you gave me to eat ; thirsty 
you gave me to drink, etc. They cry out : When 
were you hungry, or thirsty, and when did we 
succor you ? And God will tell them that every 
time they did a good action they did something 
not only for him but to him. Then, and then 



FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 107 

only, shall they realize that every good work 
is rewarded by the Almighty. Then, and then 
only shall they realize that every prayer that 
they have ever uttered has been answered by the 
Almighty God, and, led by the Angelic Choir, 
they go to enjoy heavenly bliss for all eternity. 

This is the outline that we can all fill in, and 
fill in according to the lives that we are now 
leading. We are either the cockle or the wheat 
If the former, we may expect nothing but the 
punishment that shall be meted out to all sinners 
and that is to be cast into hell for all eternity. 
If we are typified by the wheat, we shall enjoy 
happiness such as no pen can describe. And 
now the natural query is : What are we ? Are 
we wheat or cockle? By our daily lives we 
shall be judged, and if they are not such as to 
merit for us a reward, let us pray for grace to 
amend our sinful ways, for as the tree falls so 
shall it lie, and as we live, so shall we die. If we 
live bad or wicked lives, we shall surely die bad 
deaths, and a bad death is but the forerunner of 
eternal misery and suffering. If, on the other 
hand, we are leading good and upright lives, we 
may rest assured that God shall reward us, and 
even though he seems to be unmindful of us now, 
he shall give testimony of us later, and shall 
give us a reward which shall be exceeding 
great. Let us all look into our hearts, and see 



108 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

if on the final day the Judge shall say : Depart 
from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, or, 
Come, ye faithful of my Father, and enjoy the 
kingdom prepared for you, and may the good 
God inspire us by his grace to lead such lives 
that in time and for eternity we may be worthy 
to be gathered into his barns. 

PRAYER. 

O, Jesus, judge of the living and the dead, 
thou hast said that at the end of the world : The 
Son of man shall send his angels, and they shall 
gather out of his kingdom all scandals, and them 
that work iniquity. And shall cast them into 
the furnace of fire : there shall be weeping and 
gnashing of teeth. Then shall the just shine as 
the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. Grant, 
then, O, my loving Jesus, that I may be one of 
those destined to shine in the kingdom of the 
heavenly Father. Thou hast suffered and died 
that I might enter therein, and thou wilt not 
forsake me in the day of the awful judgment. 
By the sinfulness of my life I have merited to be 
cast into the furnace, but thy love for me has 
been so great that I have been snatched, as it 
were, from the very jaws of hell. I have been 
all too unmindful of the signal favors thou hast 
vouchsafed to me every day of my life, and 
have sought not thy honor and glory, but alas 



SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 109 

too often the gratification of my own sinful 
desires. I have allowed the cockle of tempta- 
tion to enter into my soul, and it has outgrown 
and choked all the graces and the good inspira- 
tions with which thou has inspired me. By my 
sinful life I have merited eternal death, but thy 
death is my hope. Thy death was for my sal- 
vation, and thy sufferings will not be in vain. 
To-day and always I am inspired to do thy 
holy will, and my every thought will be to 
please thee and to love thee. Help me, O my 
loving Jesus, to know thee as thou art : inspire 
me by thy grace to have thee ever before my 
mind : may my every thought be of thee, and all 
my actions for thee : enable me to keep the com- 
mandments thou hast given me, and to follow in 
thy footsteps, so that knowing and honoring and 
loving thee in this world, I may merit to be for- 
ever happy with thee in the next. 



SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 

Gospel. — Matt. xiii. 31-35. 

At that time : Jesus spake this parable to the 
multitudes : The kingdom of heaven is like to a 
grain of mustard seed, which a man took and 
sowed in his field. Which is the least indeed of 
all seeds ; but when it is grown up, it is greater 



HO SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

than all herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the 
birds of the air come, and dwell in the branches 
thereof. Another parable he spoke to them : 
The kingdom of heaven is like to leaven, which 
a woman took and hid in three measures of meal 
until the whole was leavened. All these things 
Jesus spoke in parables to the multitudes : and 
without parables he did not speak to them ; that 
it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the 
prophet, saying : I will open my mouth in parables, 
I will utter things hidden from the foundation 
of the world. 

IKSTRUCTIOlSr. 

Jesus spoke in parables to the multitude and 
without parables he did not speak to them. And 
why did he pursue this course ? Was it that he 
might confound and confuse his hearers, or was 
it that he might, by speaking to them in this 
mysterious manner teach them what might be 
for them and for us a valuable lesson? Jesus 
Christ came on earth not to confuse but to in- 
struct the multitudes, and in his divine wisdom 
spoke to them in a manner which though it might 
appear strange to us was well understood in his 
day. True it is that at times his hearers and even 
his apostles did not fully understand the hidden 
meaning which he sought to convey, but when 
he spoke thus it was his custom to explain later 



SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. m 

to his chosen followers what his meaning was. 
Why then did he speak in parables to the mul- 
titude on this particular occasion ? It was as the 
gospel plainly tells us that he might utter things 
hidden from the foundation of the world. But 
there was, there must have been another reason 
for his manner of speech. And what was that 
reason think you? It was no doubt to show 
that there was a reason in the mind of God for 
keeping certain things hidden from his creatures, 
and for enveloping still other things that he saw 
fit to reveal, in the deepest mystery which even 
the profoundest of the philosophers could not 
penetrate. 

The inability of the people to fully understand 
the parables of our divine Lord must make us think 
of our own intellectual weakness when we try to 
comprehend the mysteries that God has revealed 
to us. In every age men have been found who by 
their unaided reason have tried to penetrate the 
mysteries, not only of nature, but of the very 
Creator himself. And what a dismal failure even 
the greatest of created intellects has proven to 
be when unaided by the grace of God. How the 
philosophers of old have speculated on the mys- 
teries of the present and the future life, and how 
little they really knew ! And as with the philoso- 
phers of the olden time, so too with the wise 
men, so-called of this our day. How often do we 



112 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

read and often hear of men speculating on the 
profoundest mysteries of revealed religion, and 
alas, how often do we hear them say that because 
they cannot fathom them, nor understand them 
they will not believe them. The child who is 
just learning his catechism is oftentimes more 
learned in the mysterious ways of God than the 
man who is forever vaunting his superior intel- 
ligence, and proclaiming that he will not believe 
what he cannot understand. How little such 
men can believe then, for how little after all can 
even the brightest and the brainiest of them 
understand. How much better for such men 
were they imbued with the spirit of true humility 
so that they from their hearts could say : Though 
I cannot understand these mysteries, still I be- 
lieve them for they have been revealed by him 
of whom it is said, I will utter things hidden from 
the foundation of the world. 

And he spoke to them the parable of the 
mustard seed. What a salutary, what a valuable 
lesson we as members of the Church of Christ 
and as individuals might take from this parable. 
We all can understand how this saying of the 
Savior applies to the Church: how the little 
grain of mustard seed by its very insignificance 
typifies the Church which Christ came to establish. 
Small in its beginning it has grown in time to 
such a tree that men from all climes and of every 



SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 113 

degree of intelligence may find safe refuge in its 

branches. The pungency of its doctrines has 

acted as a healing antidote for all the heresies 

and false teachings that have sprung up in the 

world from time to time. We can all see the 

reference to the Church in this parable, but 

how many of us ever stop to think of the very 

particular lesson it should convey to us ? The 

smallest seed brings forth the greatest fruit — 

becomes in time the great tree. Can we not 

apply this to our daily lives ? Every habit that 

we have become addicted to, whether it be a good 

or bad one, was like the mustard seed at one 

time, very small and insignificant. Our good 

habits like our bad grow on us imperceptibly. 

How much good then might come from the good 

actions that we perform daily, even hourly, if we 

would but do them with a good motive. How 

much each and every one of us might do in our 

own particular sphere for the sake of Christ if 

we would but try to convince others not only by 

our words but by our example how easy and how 

pleasant it is to do good works. The mother in 

her home, the father in the workshop, the banker 

in his counting-room, the priest in the pulpit, all 

may be likened to the grain of mustard seed if 

they but do the work that God has called them 

to, for by their good lives they become the trees 

in which others, may come to find the only source 
8 



114 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

of real happiness in this world — the peace which 
can come only from a good conscience and the 
consciousness of good works worthily done. 

But the mustard-seed may be said to typify 
another phase in the lives of many men. No 
man, no matter how depraved or how wicked he 
may be, ever became wicked at once. His bad- 
ness is in almost every case the result of bad 
actions frequently done. How many sinners 
after a life spent in the service of the devil, can 
look back to the time when they first committed 
the sin which now has them so completely en- 
snared, and can remember the fear which over- 
came them almost at the first time they commit- 
ted that sin! It may be that it was a sin of 
thought. They banished that instantly by hav- 
ing recourse to prayer. It returned, and, ani- 
mated by a spirit of curiosity, or rather by the 
subtle influence of the devil, they dwelt on the 
thought — they took pleasure in it — they had bad 
desires — they finally committed the sin in act. 
Is that not the history of the fall of many who 
are now great sinners ? The little mustard seed 
of temptation, nurtured and watered by the 
malice of the devil, becomes the great sin of their 
daily lives ; the sin which, unless repented for, 
will separate them forever from the Almighty 
God. In the case of the sinner, sin becomes a 
habit, habit necessity, necessity spiritual death- 



SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. H5 

Despise not the mustard seed of temptation, but 
rather resist beginnings, for all too late the cure 
when ills have gathered strength by long delay. 
Overcome the little temptation by the little prayer 
fervently said, and overcome sin of all kinds by 
the thought of your dying Jesus on the cross. 

PRAYER. 

Oh, my dearest Jesus, what a beautiful and 
salutary lesson hast thou taught us in the para- 
bles which thou vouchsafed to speak to the multi- 
tudes. Truly was it said of thee by the prophet : 
I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter 
things hidden from the foundation of the world. 
Thou hast taught us many things that have 
been hidden from the foundation of the world. 
Thou hast made known to us many things con- 
cerning which the minds of the greatest philoso- 
phers could but speculate. Many things didst 
thou teach us in the many parables that thou 
didst address to the multitudes, but thou hast 
taught us even more clearly by thy very life 
when on earth. If the parables were designed to 
point out to us some religious truth, how much 
the more wast thy life designed for that pur- 
pose. Who can read thy life, particularly the 
early days of it, and the hidden life which thou 
didst lead, without seeing in the parables of this 
day a reference thereto ? Can any one compare 



116 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

thy life to anything but the mustard seed or the 
leaven spoken of in this day's gospel? What 
could have been smaller or more insignificant than 
thy beginning on earth, and what could have been 
more productive of good ? From the Little Babe 
of Bethlehem to the God crucified and dying on 
the cross ! What a grand, what a wonderful 
growth do we here witness. And again, as the 
leaven ferments and penetrates the whole mass of 
flour, so too has thy teaching penetrated and per- 
fected the whole of mankind. Teach us, then, 
O Divine Jesus, to be like thee, small and insig- 
nificant in the eyes of the world, so that one day 
we may appear before thee and be worthy to be 
called thy disciples. Teach us that the little 
grain of humility that we should have in our- 
selves, if properly nurtured from day to day by 
our prayers, may one day blossom to the big 
tree on which we may rest till thou dost see fit 
to call us to our everlasting reward. Teach us 
that without humility we cannot expect to be 
pleasing in thy sight, and that unless we are 
meek and humble thou wilt not receive us. 
Teach us, also, that it is the little temptation 
that we hardly deign to notice that oftentimes 
develops into the sin that may cause our eternal 
ruin. Teach us that life is made up of little 
things, and that it is the little things that we do, 
or at times neglect to do, that are going to count 



SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY. H7 

so much in the matter of our eternal salvation. 
Teach us to follow thy example, and to regulate 
our lives by the parables that thou didst address 
to us, and then we may one day understand 
them fully, for we shall be taught their hidden 
meaning when we shall meet thee in heaven. 
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our 
hearts like unto thine. 



SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY. 

Gospel. — Matt. xx. 1-16. 

At that time : Jesus spoke to his disciples this 
parable : The kingdom of heaven is likened to a 
householder, who went early in the morning to 
hire laborers into his vineyard. And having 
agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he 
sent them into his vineyard. And going out 
about the third hour, he saw others standing in 
the marketplace idle. And he said to them : Go 
you also into my vineyard, and I will give you 
what shall be just. And they went their way. 
And again he went out about the sixth and the 
ninth hour, and did in like manner. But about 
the eleventh hour he went out and found others 
standing, and he saith to them : Why stand you 
here all the day idle? They say to him: Be- 
cause no man hath hired us. He saith to them ; 



118 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

Go you also into my vineyard. And when even- 
ing was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to 
his steward : Call the laborers and pay them their 
hire, beginning from the last even to the first. 
When therefore, they were come, that came about 
the eleventh hour, they received every man a 
penny. But when the first also came, they 
thought that they should receive more : and they 
also received every man a penny. And receiving 
it they murmured against the master of the 
house saying : These last have worked but one 
hour, and thou hast made them equal to us, that 
have borne the burden of the day and the heats. 
But he answering said to one of them : Friend, I 
do thee no wrong : didst thou not agree with me 
for a penny? Take what is thine and go thy 
way : I will also give to this last even as to thee. 
Or, isit not lawful for me to do what I will ? 
Is thy eye evil, because I am good ? So shall the 
last be first, and the first last. For many are 
called, but few chosen. 

INSTRUCTION. 

For the better understanding of this parable it 
would be well to recall to mind the question of 
St. Peter, shortly after the dialogue between 
Christ and the young man : Behold we have left 
all things and have followed thee : what there- 
fore, shall we have ? To this query of the Chief 



SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY. H9 

of the Apostles, Christ had said : And every one 
that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or 
father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands 
for my name's sake, shall receive an hundred fold, 
and shall possess life everlasting. 

Many are the explanations given of this par- 
able. Indeed, it is one that has caused the com- 
mentators no end of trouble, for each succeeding 
age seems to have a different interpretation for it. 
Some there are who see in it the penny as the 
solution of the whole difficulty, and say that it 
points to an equality of reward in the kingdom 
of God. Others say that the parable shows that 
God does not regard the length of time that men 
labor in his service, but the fidelity with which 
they work once they have engaged to serve him. 
Still others apply it to the Jews, and say that the 
various hours mentioned signify the various calls 
that they as a nation received from the Almighty : 
from Adam, to Moses : under David and the 
kings : Christ and later his apostles. Many 
others there are who say this parable may be 
made to apply to the present generation, and not 
only to man as a race but to us as individuals. 
And it is this last interpretation that we should 
make of it, and try to apply the lessons to be de- 
rived therefrom to the betterment of our indi- 
vidual lives. 

Let us then to-day, try to make a personal ap- 



120 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

plication of it, and see that it applies most strictly 
to us. We were called, then, at the first hour, 
and that too, through no merit of our own, but 
through the gratuitous gift of God. Well might 
he say to us : You have not chosen me, but I 
have chosen you, for at the first hour or at the 
time of our baptism, when we were called to labor 
in the vineyard of the Lord, we had nothing, ab- 
solutely nothing to say in the matter, and were 
selected from many who might have been much 
more deserving, by God himself. That, then, was 
the first hour and how many of us have been 
faithful laborers since that time? How many 
of us could truthfully say that we have borne the 
burdens of the day and the heats, in the sense 
that we have always done what we should have 
done in the service of God ? How many of us 
have been faithful in the sense that we did not 
depart from the vineyard by mortal sin, and thus 
leave for the time being, at least, the service of 
that kind and indulgent Master, who had hired 
us? 

The second call may be said to be the time 
when the Almighty called us for the first time to 
receive him in our hearts in Holy Communion ! 
How well we can all remember that call ! How 
faithful we were to it, and how gladly we entered 
into the service of the Lord. Can we not recall 
the many promises that we then made ? We had 



SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY. 121 

been prepared most carefully, and in a sense at 
least understood the dignity that was about to be 
conferred on us. We understood that we were 
entering the service of God, and we made him 
many promises, but how have they been kept ? 
Have we worked as faithfully as we should have 
done ? Have we worked for him and for him 
alone, or does our conscience not tell us that 
after this second call we have many a time left 
his service and engaged with his arch enemy ? 
Yea, many of us have been working for the Lord 
but a short time when we have tired of his serv- 
ice and by the sinfulness of our lives entered the 
employ of the devil and the world. 

But at the sixth and the ninth hour he goes 
out to the marketplace again, and in many ways 
recalls those who have left his service, or engages 
those who may not have entered it. And how 
does he do this ? In countless ways and in 
divers manners. By the promptings of our 
conscience, by his special graces, in times of 
missions, perhaps at the death of a friend ; in 
times of great calamity, or the sudden death of 
many people ; in any of the countless ways 
whereby he causes men to think of their last end 
and the present state of their immortal souls. 
These are the calls that he gives at the sixth and 
the ninth hours, and how many times have we 
heard them, and how many times have we turned 



122 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

a deaf ear to them ? There is not one of us who 
has not been called in one or more of the ways 
mentioned, and yet we would be inclined to say, 
if the Lord were to send his messenger to ask us 
why we stand all the day idle, that it is because 
no man hath hired us, but would that be a truth- 
ful answer? We who have been called many 
times could not answer thus, and if we did the 
Lord would not be satisfied with it. 

But there is to be another call, the one that 
takes place at the eleventh hour, and that is at 
the time of death. Is there any one so calloused 
as to await that call ? Can any one feel that that 
is the call he is going to heed, and if yes, what 
assurance has he that he is going to get it ? True 
it is that many have been called at that time, and 
have responded to the call, but does it follow that 
we are to be among that number ? May it not 
happen, that we who have been called at the first, 
the third and the sixth, and even at the ninth 
hour, and have not heeded any of those calls, may 
be passed over at the time of the eleventh hour 
call, and if yes, what is to be our fate ? There is 
no necessity for answering that question, for the 
answer is well known to all. 

Many are called, but few are chosen. Many 
are called ! May we not say that all are called ? 
God has given us commandments, and to many, 
yea, to all does he give the grace to keep them, 



SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY. 123 

and thus receive the reward at the hands of the 
Master. Many are called; called at baptism, 
called later in life to the true Church ; called early 
or late to a position in the Church ; to the religious 
life. All these are vineyards, and you will be 
rewarded according to the fervor with which you 
have worked, or in other words you will be paid 
for any effort that you have made for the benefit 
of your everlasting soul. 

But few are chosen ! And why ? Because 
oftentimes they will not come when called. How 
many times has God called us by his very special 
graces, but while he is calling, the world, or the 
devil offers some attraction and we follow it. 
Others there are who though called will not be 
chosen, for though they are in the vineyard of 
the Lord, they are drones and not faithful laborers, 
and for that reason will not receive the penny of 
eternal reward when the steward comes to pay 
the laborers their hire. Others still find the work 
irksome and leave the vineyard, and will not be 
present in the evening, or the day of the final 
reckoning to receive their reward, but must needs 
look for it from some other employer, and that 
will be the one for whom they have labored dur- 
ing the day of their mortal lives. 

Many are called, but few are chosen. We are 
certain that we are among those who have been 
called. Let us by our lives try to make certain 



124: SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

that we shall be amongst the chosen so that in 
the evening of life we may receive from the 
Master that which shall be just. 

PRAYER. 

You have called me, O my God, into the vine- 
yard of the Holy Catholic Church where I may, if 
I so will, cultivate my soul so that when the 
evening of life shall come, I may hear you say to 
me, Well done thou good and faithful servant. 

True it is that I have not left father, and 
mother, or houses and lands for thy sake : true 
it is that I have made little if any sacrifice for 
thee, and yet I believe that since you have been 
gracious enough to call me, you will also be kind 
enough to choose me. You have placed me in 
the vineyard, and have given me one vine to 
cultivate, and that vine is my own immortal soul. 
You have showered upon me manifold graces so 
that that soul might bring forth fruit in abun- 
dance. Not satisfied with calling me at the first 
hour of my life, you have called me at the third 
hour, or the time when I first received you in the 
Eucharist. You have called me at the sixth hour, 
and the ninth hour, when in countless times you 
have called out to me in no uncertain way : 
Why stand ye here all the day idle ? Sooner or 
later, the eleventh hour and the last call shall 
come for me, and thou, O God, who hast been so 



SEXAGESIMA SUNDAY. 125 

good to me, and who has suffered so much that 
I might be saved, do not at that time remember 
the sins of my youth and my ignorance. Grant 
me the grace to lead such a life that when the 
evening may come, when I can no longer labor, I 
may look forward to thy coming, not as to that 
of an offended and indignant master coming to 
mete out punishment to a delinquent servant, but 
to the most gracious Lord, who, knowing my 
infirmities and my tendency to evil will overlook 
my shortcomings in thy vineyard and for the 
few hours good work that I may have done 
therein will say to me : Well done, thou good 
and faithful servant, because thou hast been 
faithful over few things, I will place thee over 
many, enter thou into the joy of the Lord. 



SEXAGESIMA SUNDAY. 

Gospel. — Luke viii. 4-15. 

At that time, when a very great multitude was 
gathered together, and hastened out of the cities 
unto him, he spoke by a similitude. The sower 
went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, 
some fell by the wayside, and it was trodden 
down and the fowls of the air devoured it. 
And other some fell upon a rock : and as soon as 
it was sprung up, it withered away, because it 
had no moisture, And other some fell among 



126 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

thorns, and the thorns growing up with it, 
choked it. And other some fell upon good 
ground; and being sprung up, yielded fruit a 
hundredfold. Saying these things, he cried out : 
He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And 
his disciples asked him what this parable might 
be. To whom he said: To you it is given to 
know the mystery of the kingdom of God ; but 
to the rest in parables, that seeing they might 
not see, and hearing, they may not understand. 
Now the parable is this : The seed is the word of 
God. And they by the wayside are they that 
hear; then the devil cometh, and taketh the 
word out of their heart, lest believing they 
should be saved. Now they upon the rock are 
they who when they hear, receive the word with 
joy ; and these have no roots ; for they believe 
for a while, and in time of temptation, they fall 
away. And that which fell among thorns, are 
they who have heard, and going their way, are 
choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of 
this life, and yield no fruit. But that on the 
good ground, are they who in a good and perfect 
heart, hearing the word, keep it, and bring forth 
fruit in patience. 

INSTRUCTION. 

The one point that is so striking in this gos- 
pel, that it cannot fail to attract the attention of 



SEXAGESIMA SUNDAY. I2y 

even the most casual reader, is that though 
the seed sown was in all probability of the 
same quality, and was no doubt sowed by the 
same sower, all through the field, yet the result 
was not the same in each of the cases mentioned, 
and that, too, owing to the condition of the ground 
on which it fell. Some fell by the wayside, and 
was trodden down; other seed fell on the rock, 
and withered away ; other seed fell among thorns, 
and was choked by them ; and still other seeds 
fell on good ground, and sprung up, and yielded 
fruit an hundredfold. From this we learn one 
very salutary truth, for we see that in the in- 
scrutable wisdom of God, it is not so much the 
value of the words of the gospel, as the condi- 
tion of the soul of the hearer. In other words, it 
makes no great difference who the preacher may 
be ; whether he be one of the world's great 
orators, or one of the unheard-of ministers of 
God working all unknown to the world at large 
for the betterment of the souls of the few in 
some unimportant country charge, provided what 
he says be consistent with the word of God, the 
effect, owing to the grace of God, will be pro- 
duced in the hearts of the hearers, if they be 
earnest truth-seekers, and not, as so many unfor- 
tunately are, captious critics of the preacher, 
rather than attentive listeners to the expositions 
of the doctrines of Christ and his holy Church 



128 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

The sower went out to sow his seed. And 
who is the sower if it be not Christ himself, who 
had just left his humble home, and had gone into 
the boat to teach the multitude who had come to 
the shores of Genesareth to hear his consoling 
and instructive doctrines ? As he sits in the boat 
he can command a full view of the shores of the 
lake, and his attention is arrested by the hus- 
bandman scattering by hand the seeds from 
which he in time expected to reap his harvest. 
And as he watches he observes that the farmer 
scatters the seed without much regard for the 
condition of the soil; for, mark you well, the 
conditions of the husbandman of that day differed 
greatly from the conditions such as we know. 

And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside and 
was trodden down. That is, some of it fell on 
paths that had been made by the passers-by, and 
the ground being too hard, it but served as a 
feast for the birds of the air. And this seed is 
compared to that class of men who, from time to 
time hear the word of God, but for some reason 
or other, known only to themselves, harden their 
hearts against it, and leave the word of God to 
be an easy prey for the birds of the air, typify- 
ing in this case the Evil One. And how numer- 
ous is that unfortunate class. Experience teaches 
us that their name is almost legion, for go where 
you will, if you are an observer of men, you can 



SEXAGESIMA SUNDAY. 129 

not fail to notice that there are many for whom 
the word of God is but an empty sound. Any- 
thing that tells them of a higher state ; anything 
bearing on the redemption of mankind, of the 
heinousness of sin, and the necessity of living 
according to the commands of God, falls on deaf 
ears; in other words, falls on the roadside, and is 
trodden down. But how has the average man 
brought himself to that deplorable state? Either 
by one of two ways ; by pride of intellect, in re- 
fusing to believe anything which he cannot 
understand, or by carelessness in his daily life, 
forgetful of his God, and unmindful of the many 
graces he daily receives ; making of his heart a 
public thoroughfare, as it were, a road over 
which the devil and the world, and even his own 
passions may travel at will. But what makes 
the condition of such a man hard to contemplate, 
is that he, by his own voluntary act, leaves the 
seed that God has planted so exposed that his 
arch enemy cannot fail to see it, and even if he 
did not see it, it would seem as though such a 
man would attract his attention to it, so that he 
might come and devour it, lest, by the grace of 
God, some one or more seeds might sink in and 
fructify, and in that way teach him what he 
should do. 

And other some fell on the rock, and because it 
had no moisture it withered away, soon after it 
9 



130 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

sprung up. The Lord tells us that they are those 
who hear the word of God, but in time of tempta- 
tion fall away. The husbandman would not be 
foolish enough to sow seed on a barren rock ; now 
in that field there was at least a covering of earth 
over the rocky under surface, and so too is it with 
the man whom that soil typifies. He is of a good 
heart, and mind, and on the occasion of a sermon 
which seems to fit his own peculiar case he re- 
solves that he is going to amend his mode of life. 
He can see that he has not been as good or as 
faithful as he might have been, or should have 
been, and there is just enough faith in his heart 
to cause him' to make good resolutions. He makes 
them, and intends to keep them, but he is as- 
sailed by his old temptation and for a while he 
resists, but owing to the shallowness of the good 
soil, he soon succumbs. The devil has been 
watching this seed fructifying in the form of good 
works, but he feels that it is not very deep, and 
he uproots it by the pet temptations to which 
that man has given way countless times, or if by 
the grace of God, the man resists the old, he tries 
him with the new, and the more violent, and in 
time of temptation he falls away, and that blade 
which was ripening for heaven, is soon only fit to 
be cut down, and cast into the exterior darkness 
— to be bundled with the others of its kind, and 
burned. 



SEXAGESIMA SUNDAY. 131 

And some fell among thorns, and the thorns 
growing up with it choked it. Behold the picture 
of the man who tries to serve two masters — God 
and mammon. His heart is in a receptive mood 
— he is willing, almost anxious to live up to the 
graces that God may give him, but he is torn 
away from the service of God, by the pursuit of 
riches, and the pleasures offered to him by a sinful 
world. The poor man feels that he has been 
neglected by God, and repines at his poverty ; his 
more fortunate brother feels that he has much of 
this world's good, but as yet not enough, and each 
in the struggle for more, the one to keep body 
and soul together, the other to attain a higher 
position in society, becomes unmindful of his God, 
in the pursuit of what they may term happiness. 
Here we have the good blade, but it is surrounded 
by the thorns ; both grow together, but the thorns 
being the stronger choke all the more laudable 
ambitions, the impulses for good, and that poor 
man goes on from day to day consoling himself 
with the thought that sooner or later he will 
eradicate the thorns, but only to find that they 
have attained the mastery, and the good that he 
would do, he cannot. In other words the pursuit 
of riches, and pleasures has so engrossed his 
thoughts, that he can no longer give them to the 
higher things, and all his good inspirations, and 
his efforts to do good are choked by the thorns 



1 32 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

and the cares of this world and they will bring 
forth no fruit to perfection, and if they are to be 
saved at the harvest time, it will only be by a 
miracle of the All-Loving God. 

But other some fell on good ground — and 
brings forth fruit in patience. These are they 
who in a good and perfect heart hear the word of 
God and keep it. Such men hear the word of 
God, that is the instruction that is imparted to 
them, with willingness, docility, and a desire to 
profit by it. They regulate every important 
action of their lives according to the teaching of 
the gospel. In times of trial ; in temptation, they 
apply to themselves the teachings of Christ, and 
his priests. Are they assailed by temptation ; 
immediately they have recourse to prayer, 
knowing that God will make issue with tempta- 
tion, and will not allow them to be tempted above 
their strength. Does the world beckon them on 
and encourage them to partake of its pleasures, 
they at once recognize that such pleasures are but 
transitory, and not at all comparable to those 
which God has promised to all those who do his 
holy will. Such a man hears the word of God, 
keeps it in his memory, meditates upon it, uses it 
to rout the devil and his emissaries, waters it by 
his prayers and the sacraments, and brings forth 
fruit, thirty, sixty, or an hundred fold according 
to the graces that God may give him. 



SEXAGESIMA SUNDAY. 133 

PRAYER. 

Teach me, O, my God, to love, reverence, and 
obey thy holy word. Sunday after Sunday have I 
heard the gospel read for me ; that gospel which 
contains your own very words, and many a time 
have I resolved to put its teachings into my daily 
life, but, alas, owing to the state of my soul it has 
not always brought forth the fruit that you have 
so much desired. It has alas, too often fallen on 
hard and stony ground, for by the sinfulness of 
my daily life I have hardened my heart against 
your word and your graces. But to-day I am 
resolved that I shall profit by thy teachings. If, 
to-day you hear the voice of God, harden not your 
heart. That seems to be the cry that goes ringing 
through my ears and piercing my very soul as I 
listen to the reading of to-day's gospel. I have 
heard thy voice and I shall no longer harden my 
heart against it, but rather shall open it so that 
your precious word may sink deeply therein, and 
bring forth fruit in abundance. If in the past 
your words have fallen on deaf ears, I am resolved 
in future to pay strict attention to them, and to 
try to form my life on the maxims of thy gospel. 
But of myself I can do nothing, and therefore I 
need thy especial help to keep the resolution 
which I am now forming. Help me, O my Divine 
Redeemer, teach me to prepare my soul for the 



134: SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

worthy reception of thy word, and by prayer and 
meditation to prepare for the word which is to 
bring forth fruit in my soul. Strengthen my 
memory so that I may treasure it up, and give me 
the grace to carefully consider the truths that I 
may hear, so that living according to the teachings 
of thy holy spouse, I may bring forth much fruit 
in patience, so that thy word may increase in my 
soul, not thirty, or sixty, but a hundredfold, so 
that your grace may not be vain in me, but rather 
may lead me to the enjoyment of eternal life. 



QUINQUAGESIMA SUNDAY. 

Gospel. — St. Luke xviii. 31-43. 

At that time : Jesus took unto him the twelve, 
and said to them : Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, 
and all things shall be accomplished which were 
written by the prophets concerning the Son of 
man. For he shall be delivered to the Gen- 
tiles, and shall be mocked, and scourged, and spit 
upon : and after they have scourged him, they will 
put him to death ; and the third day he shall rise 
again. And they understood none of these things, 
and this word was hid from them, and they un- 
derstood not the things that were said. Now it 
came to pass, when he drew nigh to Jericho, that 



QUINQUAGESIMA SUNDAY. 135 

a certain blind man sat by the wayside, begging. 
And when he heard the multitude passing by, he 
asked what this meant. And they told him, that 
Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried 
out, saying : Jesus, son of David, have mercy on 
me. And they that went before, rebuked him, 
that he should hold his peace : but he cried out 
much more : Son of David have mercy on me. 
And Jesus standing, commanded him to be 
brought unto him. And when he was come near, 
he asked him, saying : What wilt thou that I do 
to thee ? But he said : Lord, that I may see. 
And Jesus said to him : Receive thy sight : thy 
faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he 
saw, and followed him, glorifying God. And all 
the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. 

ESTSTKUCTION. 

Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things 
shall be accomplished which were written by the 
prophets concerning the Son of man. These are 
the words which holy mother Church would have 
ringing in our ears for the next seven weeks ; for 
we are approaching the season of Lent ; the time 
specially set apart for meditating on the suffer- 
ings and death of our Lord and Savior Jesus 
Christ. It is not as though she would not have 
us always and ever meditate on the death and 
glorious resurrection of her Spouse and Founder, 



136 SHOET INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

but at this particular season of the year she would 
have us think seriously of the crucified Savior, 
and bids us do all in our power to atone for the 
insults and the injuries offered to God. 

Christ's life on earth is the model on which we 
his faithful followers should pattern ours : every 
act of his public career was performed with an 
eye single to the good effect that it might have 
on those who were to come after him, but all the 
lessons that he tried to inculcate seem to have been 
crowded into the one grand act of his crucifixion, 
and it is that heroic act of love for sinful man that 
the Church would have us study most carefully 
for the seven weeks of Lent. For that purpose she 
brings before our minds, the agony in the garden ; 
the scourging at the pillar ; the crowning with 
thorns ; the carriage of the cross ; and the cruci- 
fixion ; all of these are put before us separately and 
specially that we may learn to copy our Lord in his 
passion, not only in general but in detail. It was 
for this reason that he caused to be preserved the 
implements of the passion ; the cross, the nails, 
and the cloth on which he wiped his holy face. 
But these mute witnesses of the sufferings of the 
crucified Savior pale into insignificance when 
compared with that standing memorial of his suf- 
ferings, the holy sacrifice of the mass, in which 
he is daily, albeit in an unbloody manner offered 
to his heavenly Father for the sins of mankind, 



QUINQUAGESIMA SUNDAY. 137 

and for the cause of their salvation. The great- 
est Doctor of the Church, St. Thomas, calls this 
tremendous sacrifice the greatest miracle which 
God has ever wrought ; and St. Augustine says : 
Though Almighty he was unable to give more ; 
though all- wise, he knew nothing better to give : 
though infinitely rich, he had nothing more pre- 
cious to give. And for what purpose has he per- 
formed such a grand work ? such a stupendous 
miracle ? Ask him, and he will answer you in 
the words which he used when instituting the 
Blessed Sacrament : Do this in commemoration of 
me. He has instituted the Blessed Sacrament as a 
standing memorial of his love for mankind : he has 
made himself a prisoner that he might be always 
with us, and he bids us come to him from time 
to time during the Lenten season to sympathize 
with him. He is sick and sick unto death ; he is 
a prisoner, and bids us come and succor him ; he 
is struggling under the heavy weight of the cross, 
made almost unbearable by the heavy weight of 
our sins, and asks us to come and help him carry 
it. He has said : He that would come after me, 
let him deny himself and take up his cross and 
follow me. 

But there are two ways of studying the pas- 
sion. As you all know there were two conflicting 
elements at the foot of the cross ; the one composed 
of the Roman soldiers, and the Jewish rabble, 



138 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

whose only purpose was to see that Christ was put 
to death, and at the same time to do all they 
could to augment his sufferings. The other group, 
composed of his mother, and his few faithful fol- 
lowers, who were there in spite of all opposition, 
to alleviate by their presence at least, the awful 
sufferings which he was enduring. It is this 
latter group that we are to imitate : like them we 
are to show our love for the Savior by following 
him through all his trials. Like them we are to 
compassionate with him, and like them we are to 
remember that it is not a scene of human suffering 
that we are witnessing, but the spectacle of a 
God nailed to the cross for our sins. 

Whenever we think of the sufferings of Christ, 
and are impressed with the thought that it was 
all done for us, we almost instinctively say that 
if I had been there at that time I would have 
been one of the faithful followers : I would have 
ranged myself with the Blessed Virgin and the 
other faithful ones, and would have resisted if 
needs be with my very life any and all attempts 
to drive me from the foot of the cross. I would 
have been one of the last to leave that awful scene 
of suffering, and in every way possible would 
have tried to show that I was faithful to the end. 
We have all given expression to that sentiment 
at some time or other, and yet how many of us 
have really been in earnest when we said any 



QUINQUAGESIMA SUNDAY. 139 

thing like it. True it is that the passion is now 
a thing of the past, and for that reason it is 
physically impossible for us to prove the truth of 
what we say we would have done, but yet there 
is a way that we can prove that we would have 
been faithful, and that is by being faithful to 
Jesus Christ in the sacrament of his love. Every 
one of us can, if we will, be faithful to him there. 
And does it not seem reasonable to suppose that 
Christ is almost always giving expression to the 
same thoughts from the tabernacle that he gave 
voice to when he told his apostles that he was 
about to be put to death? What was it that 
made the thought of death so terrible to him ? 
Was it, think you, the physical agony that he was 
about to endure, or rather was it not the mental 
anguish that he was even then experiencing, 
when looking down the ages he could see many 
who would profess to be good and faithful Cath- 
olics, leaving him alone in the tabernacle with 
few so good as to do him even the honor of calling 
to see him to tell him that they love him. What 
must have been the agony he suffered when he 
looked down to this our time, and saw so many 
who would be so unmindful of him in the days 
of their health and strength that they would not 
even deign to hear mass in his honor on Sundays. 
How can such people ever think of Christ and 
his sufferings and not resolve to be better, more 



140 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

God-fearing men ? They condemn the Jews for 
putting Christ to death, but are they one whit 
better than they were ? Do they not cause him 
as much suffering as did the men who put him 
to the death of the cross ? Is there any thing 
so base as ingratitude, and are such men not the 
basest of ingrates, for they do all they can do to 
augment the sufferings of Christ, and that too 
with the knowledge that he is the risen Savior. 
But admitting that they come to church Sunday 
after Sunday, but rarely receive the Blessed 
Eucharist, do they not show by their conduct 
that they are lacking in love for God ? Here he 
is in the tabernacle, crying out to them that he 
is a prisoner, and asking them to come and taste 
that he is sweet, but despite all his entreaties 
they will not receive him. And again, many who 
do receive him from time to time in their hearts 
do so without giving the subject the consideration 
it deserves. In times of spiritual awakening they 
may be moved to come and receive the Lord in 
their hearts, but are their hearts as pure and un- 
sullied as they should be ? Have they resolved 
that they will amend their sinful lives, and do all 
they can to enhance the accidental glory of God ? 
Let them remember that God had no need of 
them, but moved by love for them he created 
them, redeemed them, sanctified them, and in the 
Blessed Eucharist gives them his body and blood 



QUINQUAGESIMA SUNDAY. 141 

to be their spiritual food. Knowing that the last 
words of any one are as a general rule treasured 
up in the hearts of them that loved him, he in- 
stituted the sacrament of his love at the last 
supper, and said to the apostles : as often as you 
do this, do it in commemoration of me. And at 
that table with the others was Judas, and he 
took the body and blood of Christ into a heart 
already tenanted by the devil. But the love of 
Christ for man was so great that he was even 
willing to forgive that sacrilege, and despite all 
the ingratitude that he knew he would receive, 
he deigned to leave his precious body and blood 
as a standing memorial of his passion and death, 
and as a testimony of the love that he bore 
sinners. Is it to be wondered at then that he 
was sorrowful almost to death when he told the 
apostles that he was about to be put to death ? 
And can we add to the agony that he then en- 
dured by being unmindful of him at a season 
when all his faithful followers are about to do 
penance for the sufferings they have caused him 
by their sins ? Whether you be saint or sinner 
the time is fast approaching when you will be 
called upon to emulate the example of the Savior 
and do penance. He had no need of doing 
penance, for he was stainless and sinless, but for 
even the most perfect of us there is a crying need 
of penance or sorrow for the sins of the past. 



142 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

To-day's gospel tells us of the favor that Christ 
bestowed on the poor blind beggar. Let us, fol- 
lowing the example of that poor blind man cry 
out to him ; Son of David have mercy on me, and 
no matter what the disease we may be suffering 
from Christ will cure us, and will do even more 
than that, he will come to us and take up his 
abode with us. And since he is so willing, nay 
so anxious to come to us, let us open our hearts 
to him so that he may come there and shower 
upon us all the graces we may need, but first and 
above all the grace that we may sympathize with 
him in his sufferings, and take up our cross and 
follow him, that doing a little penance for his 
sake in this world we may merit to be forever 
happy with him in the next. 

PRAYER. 

Lord, that I may see. That is the wish and 
the prayer that I would have you answer for me, 
O my suffering and crucified Savior. That I 
might see thee on the cross and that the scales 
which have covered my eyes might be removed 
so that I might see that it was my sins and the 
sins of others that caused thee so much suffering. 
Lord, that I might see. That I might see thee 
with the eyes of faith as thou art reposing in the 
tabernacle, and that I might see into thy sacred 
heart and see the depths of the love that thou 



QUINQUAGESIMA SUNDAY. 143 

hast ever borne for me, and that seeing thy heart 
inflamed with love for me a sinner, I might see 
the sinfulness of my past life and try to make 
amends for it ; that I might do all in my power 
to return thee love for love. That I might see 
thee beckoning to me from the cross, and asking 
me to make room for thee in my heart ; and that 
I might cleanse and purify my heart by penance 
and contrition so that it may become a fit dwelling- 
place for thee. That I might see the wound 
made by the nails and the lance, and see into thy 
sacred side, and thus see that thou didst shed the 
last drop of thy precious blood for my sake. 
That I might see thee as thou wert at the Last 
Supper, and that I might realize what thou didst 
then do for me and for all sinners. In a word 
that I might see the error of my ways, and for- 
sake them, and that I might see the straight and 
narrow path that thou hast mapped out for me, 
and that following it I may see thee in the taber- 
nacle, and that receiving thee frequently and 
worthily in my heart I may one day hear thee 
say to me as thou didst to the blind man : thy 
faith hath made thee whole, and being made 
whole and free from all sin I may merit through 
thy grace to see thee in the realms of eternal 
bliss. 



144 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

FIRST SUNDAY OP LENT. 

Gospel. — Matt. iv. 1-11. 

At that time : Jesus was led by the Spirit into 
the desert, to be tempted by the devil. And 
when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, 
afterwards he was hungry. And the tempter 
coming said to him : If thou be the Son of God, 
command that these stones be made bread. Who 
answered and said : It is written, Not in bread 
alone doth man live, but by every word that pro- 
ceedeth from the mouth of God. Then the devil 
took him into the holy city, and set him upon 
the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him : If 
thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down ; for 
it is written : He hath given his angels charge 
over thee, and in their hands shall they bear thee 
up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a 
stone. Jesus said to him, It is written again, 
Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again 
the devil took him up into a very high mountain, 
and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, 
and the glory of them, and said to him : All these 
will I give thee, if falling down thou wilt adore 
me. Then Jesus said to him, Begone, Satan : for 
it is written: The Lord thy God shalt thou 



FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT. 145 

adore, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the 
devil left him: and behold angels came and 
ministered to him. 

INSTKUCTION. 

However extraordinary it may appear that 
Jesus Christ should retire into the desert to be 
tempted, or however bold and insolent it may 
seem in the devil thus to attack the Son of God ; 
yet, when we consider the design of our blessed 
Lord in this particular, we discover a more 
wonderful effect of his love in our regard ; as it 
was not for his own, but for our advantage, that 
after his example we might learn to fly from the 
world, mortify and subdue our passions, and 
thereby be enabled to resist the temptations we 
must expect from the devil, who, like a cunning 
adversary, watches incessantly to attack us with 
advantage, when he may either surprise our neg- 
ligence, or prevail against our weakness. 

To fly from an enemy, when we are his superior 
or equal in strength, is a mark of cowardice : but 
to retreat from one more powerful than ourselves, 
and who has a great many advantages over us, is 
not cowardice, but discretion ; it is acting accord- 
ing to the rules of prudence, to secure ourselves 
by a reasonable retirement, rather than expose 
ourselves rashly to the fatal consequences of an 
unequal combat. The world may on many ac- 
10 



14:6 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

counts be esteemed our enemy, and therefore our 
greatest security from its dangers, is by a retreat : 
but by retiring from the world, is not here meant 
a total separation from it, like that of the ancient 
fathers in the desert, or those who are called by 
God to the privacy of a cloister ; such a retreat 
is certainly of great advantage to those who as- 
pire after perfection in the contemplative way ; 
but as for those who are called to an active life, 
whose duty it is amidst the allurements of the 
world, to endeavor to serve God and secure their 
own salvation, the retreat recommended to them 
is a solitude of heart, and retirement of spirit by 
weaning our affections from too great an attach- 
ment to the enjoyments of this world : though to 
these also an occasional retirement from the hur- 
ry of business, or the vain amusements of life, as 
far as the circumstances of every one's state will 
permit, is here recommended from the example 
of our Savior. 

As the most regular clocks must be sometimes 
taken apart, in order to cleanse them from 
the dust which they insensibly collect, so the 
most fervent piety may gradually cool, and the 
most exemplary Christian fall into some practical 
error ; for the cure of which as well as to re- 
kindle the fire of devotion, retirement, and recol- 
lection, will be found indispensably necessary, for 
the following reasons : first, because the world is 



FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT. 147 

not only replete with dangers which render our 
salvation extremely difficult, but also because 
under the specious appearance of comforts and 
delights, in the pursuit of which the mind is con- 
tinually agitated, we find nothing but crosses and 
disappointments, ever seeking after what can af- 
ford us no other consolation, than the wretched 
pleasure of exchanging a present, for a future, 
misery. 

There is another consideration which should 
induce us to abandon all affection for the world ; 
that to walk in its ways is no better than tread- 
ing the paths of death, and the broad way which 
leads to everlasting misery. It is a sacred truth 
delivered by the mouth of Jesus Christ himself, 
that in order to be saved we must fly from the 
world, if not in effect, at least in heart and desire ; 
we must carry our cross, deny ourselves, and fol- 
low his footsteps in the narrow paths of penance 
and mortification. But, alas ! how can this be 
done ? by following the world, or governing our- 
selves by its maxims ? Ah ! let us not deceive 
ourselves. The gospel assures us, that no one can 
serve two masters ; we cannot serve God and 
Mammon. Since God alone then is the only pure 
fountain of happiness, let us not seek for it, but 
in himself and his service : let us abandon the 
world, in which nothing is to be found but 
trouble and disappointments ; uncertain satisfac- 



148 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

tions here, and the germ of everlasting misery 
hereafter : though engaged in the world by our 
necessary affairs and the duties of our station, let 
us not be corrupted by its maxims, but preserve 
our hearts uncontaminated, by solitude and retire- 
ment of spirit, after the example of Jesus our 
master. 

Another important truth exhibited to us by 
the fasting and retirement of our Savior, is to 
mortify and subdue our passions, that we may be 
enabled to overcome the temptations to which we 
are exposed in the world. The Son of God not 
only retired into the desert, but there mortified 
himself by the rigorous observance of a long fast, 
not for his own but for our sins : to convince us, 
that in order to secure our eternal salvation, we 
must not only retire from the vanities of the 
world, but also mortify and keep our passions in 
subjection, lest otherwise they should become our 
masters, and reduce us to the most degrading 
servitude. If we gratify the desires of the flesh, 
we weaken the spirit, and render it unable to re- 
sist the attacks of the enemy. By pampering, 
and nourishing our bodies, by indulging our ap- 
petites, and gratifying our sensual inclinations, 
we add fuel to the fire of concupiscence, and 
furnish our adversary with arms against our- 
selves. Alas ! how can we expect to overcome 
the temptations to which we are daily exposed by 



FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT. 149 

a life of softness and sensuality ; a life so very- 
opposite to the character of a Christian, and the 
maxims of the gospel, which everywhere exhort 
us to the practice of penance and mortification. 
It is for this purpose that we are called to the 
observance of Lent, that we might in some meas- 
ure, follow the example of our Divine Master, 
who, when the devil tempted him to change 
stones into bread, replied: Man liveth not by 
bread alone, thereby intimating, that although 
corporal food be necessary for the support of the 
body, which is but a part, and the less noble part 
of man ; and as the soul is infinitely more valu- 
able than the body, it is for the welfare of the 
former that we should be most solicitous being 
continually exposed to the assaults of its enemies. 
We must therefore endeavor to preserve it by a 
diligent use of those arms wherewith God has 
furnished us. Nor can our enemies be ever able 
to prevail against us, except through our own 
sloth and negligence : the devil may assault, and 
tempt us, as he did our Savior, but he cannot 
force us ; he can only solicit, and importune, but 
he can never oblige us to commit sin. God has 
left us at liberty : he has endowed us with free 
will and offers us the assistance of his grace, by 
which we may reject all temptations of the devil. 
Resist him then, and he will fly from you, as he 
did from Jesus Christ. 



150 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

PEAYEE. 

O, adorable Savior of mankind, how much am 
I indebted to thy goodness ! Thou didst retire 
into the desert ; thou didst fast and pray, and 
permit thyself to be tempted by the devil, that 
following thy example, I might also overcome 
him : lead me then, dear Lord, into an internal 
solitude, and let me fly from the vanities and 
dangers of the world. O, may I never rashly ex- 
pose myself to danger, nor fall a prey to the ene- 
my, through my own imprudence or weakness. 
O, let me die to the world, that I may live only 
to thee ; may I for thy love, despise all the en- 
joyments of this life. O, replenish my soul with 
such seraphic flames, as may burn and consume 
all earthly desires ! Since thou art my true and 
only happiness, thee only do I wish for, and after 
thee only do I seek : here will I mortify myself, 
and keep my irregular passions in subjection 
that they may no more rise in rebellion against 
thee, or cause me to transgress thy holy law. 

O, adorable Jesus ! if the devil had the rashness 
to attack thy incomparable sanctity, thy invincible 
strength, thy consummate virtue, what is there 
that he will not undertake against such a poor, 
weak and feeble creature as I am? O, divine 
Jesus, how can I prevail against so powerful and 
so crafty an enemy ? I pray, O my God, that 



SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT. 151 

thou wilt not permit him to tempt me beyond 
my strength. I am strong against him by the 
help of thy grace, and this thou art always ready 
and willing to grant me. O, Victim and Con- 
queror of sin and death ! come to my assistance. 
Defend me from this roaring lion. May I be 
safe from his fury under the shadow of thy 
wings. O, Infinite Bounty, from the treasures of 
thy mercy strengthen my weakness and assist 
me, that I may fight with courage and resolution, 
till I obtain a complete victory over all the ene- 
mies of my soul, to the honor and glory of thy 
adorable name, sweet Jesus. 



SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT. 

Gospel. — Matt. xvii. 1-9. 

And after six days, Jesus taketh unto him 
Peter, and James, and John his brother, and 
bringeth them up into a high mountain apart. 
And he was transfigured before them. And his 
face did shine as the sun : and his garments be- 
came white as snow. And, behold, there ap- 
peared to them Moses and Elias talking with 
him. Then Peter, answering, said to Jesus : 
Lord, it is good for us to be here : if thou wilt, 
let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, 



152 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

and one for Moses, and one for Elias. And as he 
was yet speaking, behold, a bright cloud over- 
shadowed them. And, behold, a voice out of the 
clouds, saying : This is my beloved Son, in whom 
I am well pleased : hear ye him. And the dis- 
ciples hearing, fell upon their face, and were very 
much afraid. And Jesus came, and touched 
them : and said to them : Arise, and be not afraid. 
And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no 
man, but only Jesus. And as they came down 
from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying : 
Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of Man be 
risen from the dead. 

INSTRUCTION. 

As the design of our divine Redeemer, in 
conducting SS. Peter, James, and John, up 
to a high mountain, there to behold the glory 
of his transfiguration, was to encourage them, 
the better to discharge those arduous labors for 
which they were designed, as also to bear with 
patience, those sufferings their divine Master had 
told them they should undergo, in the hope of ob- 
taining thereby the glory of heaven, of which, 
what they beheld upon Mount Thabor, was but a 
faint representation ; so, the same is the de- 
sign of his Church, in selecting this portion of 
the holy scriptures for her gospels of to-day : 



SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT. 153 

that being led thereby, to a consideration of the 
infinite happiness and glory of the other world, 
we might with more ease, and courage, pursue 
our journey through the arduous, and difficult 
paths of mortification, self-denial, fasting, prayer, 
and works of penance, which will infallibly con- 
duct us to that glorious and happy kingdom, 
the sight of which will make us exclaim with 
St. Peter, Lord it is good for us to be here ! 
That the apostle, in a rapture of joy and admira- 
tion, should desire to remain on Mount Thabor, 
and express his reluctance to quit the glories he 
there beheld, is by no means surprising : but that 
among Christians, who profess themselves to be 
the disciples of Jesus Christ, there should be 
found so many, who express a similar desire with 
regard to earthly objects, is truly amazing. The 
world alas ! has nothing in it desirable ; nothing 
permanent ; nothing that can render us happy ; 
and yet many are so blind with an affection for 
its enjoyments, and so strongly attached to 
its pleasures, riches, and honors, that forgetful 
of their heavenly country, they cry out : It is 
good for us to be here. O, fatal degeneracy of 
the Christian character ! O, deplorable blindness 
of those, who, by an inordinate affection for the 
vain and transient pleasures of this world, hazard 
the inexpressible, the permanent glory and happi- 
ness of the next ! 



154 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

To correct so egregious an error, the Church, 
as has been observed, this day proposes the happi- 
ness of heaven for our consideration : that we 
might make a wise and prudent choice ; by not 
preferring momentary satisfactions, to solid, and 
everlasting comforts. Let us then enter unto her 
sentiments, and make the world the subject of 
our serious reflections. On examination we shall 
discover it to be that which deceives, and involves 
its votaries in ruin. This will appear, when we 
consider, that to render man truly happy, three 
things are necessary. First, Something that 
is capable of satisfying all his desires : for to 
enjoy one thing which we desire, and to want 
another which we ardently wish for, is but a 
partial happiness, or rather a misery ; as the pain 
felt by the want of the one, deprives us of the 
pleasure of enjoying the other. Secondly, We 
must not only discover what will satisfy all our 
desires, but we must also possess it. Thirdly, 
This possession must not be of a short and un- 
certain, but of a long and permanent duration, 
without the fear of losing it : but this is not to be 
found in the world, which has nothing capable of 
satisfying the desires of a heart created for God, 
and which can never be contented but in him : 
nor can we be said truly to possess any thing we 
esteem in this world, since the enjoyment we have 
of it is to last for so short a time. 



SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT. 155 

For the truth of the first assertion, we 
appeal to worldlings themselves, even those 
who enjoy the largest share of honors, riches, and 
pleasures ; are they satisfied ? No : something is 
still wanting : they would rise to a higher dignity, 
possess more riches, and enjoy some new pleasure. 
This is an evident proof that they only enjoy the 
shadow, instead of the substance. If any one 
then, can be styled happy in the possession of 
the things of this world, it is he who is content 
with a competency suitable to his station ; and 
yet the trouble to procure, and maintain even 
that, is often so great, as to render such a one far 
from being perfectly happy. 

No one can, strictly speaking, be said to 
possess any thing in this world. Our thoughts, 
it is true, may be occupied about them ; our 
hearts and inclinations may bend towards them ; 
but alas ! this is not to possess them, as we may 
have them in our power, and yet not enjoy them. 
A covetous man does not possess his riches, but 
his riches are rather in possession of him : the 
same may be said of pleasure, or any other 
worldly enjoyment. And though we should have 
them, yet the enjoyment of them is of so un- 
certain a duration, as to be accounted rather an 
imaginary than a real possession; a dream, a 
vapor, an illusion ; for we cannot enjoy them long, 
and we are certain that sooner or later we must 



156 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

quit them. Can we then, without extreme folly, 
fix our affections on the false pleasures and fading 
possessions of this world, which it may be said 
we can neither possess nor enjoy, since they pass 
and repass, and are so subject every moment to 
change. 

This being the real state of the world, and of 
the false happiness it affords, have we any reason 
to say, It is good for us to be here : No, certainly : 
it is only in heaven ; in the possession and enjoy- 
ment of God himself, that we can be truly happy. 
It is good for us to be where all our desires will 
be abundantly satisfied. In heaven we shall de- 
sire nothing which we shall not have, nor seek 
any thing which we shall not find : there will be 
joy without sorrow, plenty without want, health 
without sickness : no scorching heat, no piercing 
cold, no poverty, no disgrace, no want of friends ; 
no crosses or disappointments, but a continual 
flow of everlasting pleasures and delights. There 
we shall see God face to face. There we shall 
behold him as he is. In the possession of him 
we shall enjoy all things ; in a word, we shall 
enjoy what eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, 
nor the heart of man can comprehend, not for a 
short time but for ever : we shall truly possess 
them, and as we can never lose the possession of 
them our enjoyment will last for eternity, as 
long as God is God. After ten thousand millions 



SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT. 157 

of ages, they will be still new, still fresh, and no 
nearer their end than at the beginning, for there 
can be no period to an endless eternity. 

Ah ! this is happiness indeed ; yet this happiness 
is offered to every one, and every one may obtain 
it. If in acquiring it, we suffer some troubles 
and afflictions here, shall we not be more than 
abundantly recompensed hereafter ? Is it not the 
height of practical folly, to run the hazard of 
losing heaven for any thing that can be obtained 
on earth ? O, let us then remember the end for 
which we were created, for which we were re- 
deemed by the adorable blood of Jesus Christ. 
Call to mind, O, Christian, your dignity, cries out 
Tertullian, remember you are a candidate for 
eternity. Think then, only of God, desire noth- 
ing but him; let all your actions be directed to 
him ; seek only him upon earth, if you desire to 
reign eternally with him in heaven. 

PRAYER. 

How lovely are thy tabernacles, O, Lord of 
Hosts ! My soul longeth and f ainteth for the courts 
of the Lord. O, heaven ! O, celestial paradise ! to 
thee do I lift up my eyes, and with a longing 
heart, and stretched out arms, languish for the 
possession of thy glory. O, God of infinite good- 
ness ! who hast promised heaven, to such as love 



158 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

and serve thee, how can I sufficiently admire thy 
excessive bounty, thus to reward our trifling serv- 
ices ? Shall I not then love thee ? Shall I not 
serve thee ? Shall I not obey thee ? Yes, my God ! 
I will love thee, honor, and obey thee ; for thou 
art the best of masters, and thy rewards, like thy- 
self, are infinite, and incomprehensible. Thou 
hast created me for the enjoyment of heaven and 
eternal happiness. O, bountiful Author of my ex- 
istence, shall I despise the glory of thy happy 
kingdom, to busy myself about the trifles of this 
world, and foolishly seek for happiness where it 
cannot be found ? Ah no ; I will rather despise 
the world with its short-lived pleasures ; all my 
attention shall be directed towards heaven : there 
will I fix my thoughts : there shall all my en- 
deavors terminate. Adieu, vain world ! I bid you 
an eternal farewell : all that I desire is, to attain 
the possession of my God, and be happy with him 
forever. 

Who will give me the wings of a dove, that I 
may fly away from the troubles of this miserable 
world, and rest, dear Lord, with thee ? When 
shall my happy soul possess thee, sweet Jesus, the 
only object of my wishes and desires ? When 
shall I arrive at thy charming place of abode, 
where I shall for ever enjoy thee, without the least 
fear of losing thee ? Ah, my God ! release my 
soul out of prison, the sad prison of this miserable 



THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT. 159 

body, wherein alas ! I have so often offended thee ; 
then shall I praise and glorify thy holy name : 
For what have I in heaven ? and besides thee what 
do I desire upon earth ? 



THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT. 

Gospel. — St. Luke xi. 14-28. 

At that time : Jesus was casting out a devil, 
and the same was dumb. And when he had 
cast out the devil, the dumb spoke, and the mul- 
titude were in admiration at it. But some of 
them said : He casteth out devils by Beelzebub, 
the prince of the devils. And others tempting 
asked of him a sign from heaven. But he, see- 
ing their thoughts, said to them: Every king- 
dom divided against itself shall be roughbt. to 
desolation, and house upon house shall fall. 
And if Satan also be divided against himself, 
how shall his kingdom stand ? because you say, 
that through Beelzebub I cast out devils. Now 
if I cast out devils by Beelzebub : by whom do 
your children cast them out? Therefore they 
shall be your judges. But if I by the finger of 
God cast out devils : doubtless the kingdom of 
God is come upon you. When a strong man armed 
keepeth his court, those things are in peace which 



160 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

he possesseth. But if a stronger than he come 
upon him and overcome him, he will take away- 
all his armor wherein he trusted, and will dis- 
tribute his spoils. He that is not with me, is 
against me : and he that gathereth not with me, 
scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out 
of a man, he walketh through places without 
water, seeking rest : and not finding, he saith : I 
will return into my house whence I came out. 
And when he is come, he findeth it swept and gar- 
nished. Then he goeth and taketh with him seven 
other spirits more wicked than himself, and enter- 
ing in they dwell there. And the last state of 
that man becometh worse than the first. And it 
came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain 
woman from the crowd lifting up her voice, said 
to him : Blessed is the womb that bore thee, and 
the paps that gave thee suck. But he said : Yea 
rather blessed are they who hear the word of God 
and keep it. 

INSTRUCTION. 

There are dumb devils ; and talkative devils ; 
or, in other words, the devil sometimes makes 
men speak, and sometimes be silent: when a 
Christian should speak for the glory of God, to 
defend the cause of virtue, or to discountenance 
vice, then to keep silence is to be possessed in 
some measure, by a dumb devil, which must be 



THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT. 161 

cast out by the power of Jesus, by reflecting on 
the obligations we are under of maintaining the 
character of a Christian, and not betray it by a 
criminal silence, when the honor of God and the 
good of our neighbor, call upon us to speak tho 
truth with freedom. But when we give a crimi- 
nal liberty to our tongue, by speaking ill of our 
neighbor, or lessening his reputation, and ruining 
his character by calumny and detraction, then it 
is, that the devil speaks with an infernal elo- 
quence, and that we, as his instruments, do infinite 
prejudice to ourselves, and others. The world is 
so full of this sort of orators, that no vice can be 
said to be more common, and universal, than the 
sin of detraction — it is, alas ! so general, that 
there is scarcely any company or place free from 
it. And thus, whilst it is condemned by every 
one, there are few, or none to be found, who are 
not guilty of it. The scripture informs us, that 
the Holy Ghost descended upon the apostles in 
the form of tongues ; but alas ! how different is 
the language of this Divine Spirit, from that 
which we daily hear from the mouths of Chris- 
tians, who glory in calling themselves the dis- 
ciples of Christ, and pretend to believe, and pro- 
fess the holy doctrine which he taught ! The 
language of that Divine Spirit is the language of 
charity, goodness and truth ; but that of the de- 
tractor, is of hatred, malice and lies : so that we 
ii 



162 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

may venture to affirm, the sin of detraction to be 
in some sense a sin against the Holy Ghost, since 
nothing can be more contrary to the spirit of 
charity and union, than that which dissolves uni- 
versal love, and causes contention and discord. 

The spirit of Jesus Christ is a spirit of union 
and charity. He prayed to his eternal Father, 
that as they were one, so his disciples might be 
one. Not by unity of nature, as the Father and 
the Son are one and the same God, but by unity 
of charity and love. That as there is but one 
God, one faith, and one baptism, so all might be 
as one in love. This was that admirable effect 
which the Holy Ghost produced in the primitive 
Christians, of whom it is recorded in the acts of 
the apostles, that they were all of one heart. But 
alas ! the sin of detraction destroys this happy 
union, by separating those who are united by the 
strongest, and most sacred bonds. Christians 
are members of the Church of Christ ; the sons 
of that holy mother, who embraces them all as 
her children, and employs her prayers, tears, ex- 
hortations, and admonitions, that a fraternal 
charity and union may always subsist among 
them. But, notwithstanding all the entreaties 
and tears of so tender a mother, the detractor 
stabs his brother in the most sensitive part, and 
takes a diabolical pleasure in robbing him of 
what is more dear to him than his life. 



THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT. 163 

The Holy Ghost is a spirit of bounty and good- 
ness, whilst the spirit of detraction is on the con- 
trary the cause of infinite evils, being the offspring 
of malice, and envy. The spirit of God may be 
styled a circle of munificence which passes from 
one good to another, and bestows nothing but 
graces and favors. This is the benevolent spirit 
which ought to shine in the conduct of Chris- 
tians : but how little of it appears in the behavior 
of those, who take pleasure in detracting, and 
speaking ill of their neighbors ? On the contrary, 
calumny may be called a circle always moving 
from one evil to another, by continually heaping 
fuel on the fire of strife and contention. It is a 
malignant poison, which infects and corrupts all 
within its corroding influence. 

The spirit of God is a spirit of truth ; but that 
of detraction is composed of falsehood ; and al- 
though it is an abomination in the sight of God, 
and the just object of detestation with all sincere 
Christians, nevertheless this great and damnable 
sin is committed every day without scruple or 
remorse. After so sad, but just a description of 
this sin, we might be astonished to find it so com- 
mon among Christians, had we not daily and de- 
monstrative proofs of so deplorable a fact. Are 
not the defects of others the common topic of 
conversation ? are not the actions and behavior of 
the absent the subject of daily entertainment? 



164 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

Everyone erects a court of judicature ; sets him- 
self up on the bench as a judge, cites his neigh- 
bor to the bar, and without hearing what may be 
said in his favor, immediately condemns him : 
but what are the grounds of such censures ? slight 
surmises; a mere report, which envy or malice 
considers a sufficient evidence to justify unchari- 
table and rash judgments : how often does pride 
induce us to degrade the character of another, 
that we may build our reputation upon the ruin 
of his ? If his virtue and innocence are too clear 
to be openly denied, how often is it diminished 
with a but for all that : notwithstanding his vir- 
tue, he is so, and so : he said, or did, this or that. 
O ! that Christians would seriously reflect upon 
the nature of this sin, how odious it is to God, 
and how prejudicial to themselves. For with 
what judgment you have judged : and with what 
measure you have measured, it shall be measured 
to you. Judgment without mercy, to those who 
have not shown mercy. 

The most effectual antidote against this 
sin, is always to act according to the golden rule 
of doing as we would be done by : the same 
tender regard we desire our neighbor should have 
for our reputation, let us also have for his. 
When we have the misfortune to commit a fault, 
we naturally desire that others, before they con- 
demn us, should consider whether it may not 



THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT. 165 

proceed from an error of judgment, and not of 
the will ; that they would consider that our in- 
tention might be good, that it might proceed from 
inadvertence or indiscretion. Let us ever ob- 
serve this method in forming our judgment of 
others, and always put the best construction 
upon the words and actions of our neighbor ; 
but, above all, we must take care not to charge 
him with false crimes, nor discover his secret 
sins, unless to those whom it may concern, for 
his benefit and reformation. 

PRAYER. 

O! Jesus, the bright mirror of truth and 
justice ! send a cherubim, with coals from thy 
holy altar, to purify my heart and lips from the 
crying sin of slander and detraction. Let me 
never be guilty of what is odious to thee, prej- 
udicial to my neighbor and hurtful to myself. 
Let charity direct me to give the most favor- 
able interpretation to the actions of others, 
that I may find mercy at thy hands, when I shall 
appear to be judged at thy tribunal. May I leave 
others to thee, who art the supreme judge of all 
mankind, and only attend to myself, lest by incurr- 
ing the guilt of rash judgment, I shall offend thee, 
injure my brethren, and hazard the eternal salva- 
tion of my own soul. 



166 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS, 

Ah, my soul ! let us take care to avoid the 
enormous evil of detractions. Let the reputation 
of our neighbor be as dear to us as our own. O, 
my God ! place a guard before my mouth, and a 
gate of prudence before my lips, that I may not 
offend with my tongue : that I may neither offend 
thee, injure my neighbor, nor murder my own 
soul. O, God of love ! the mirror of most perfect 
charity, let me, in some measure, strive to imitate 
thee, by never saying or doing any thing to the 
prejudice of another : may I glorify thee, in those 
gifts and graces thou bestowest upon my neighbor, 
and magnify thee for thy mercies to all mankind. 
O ! may the spirit of love and charity reign in all 
our hearts, that we may mutually and sincerely 
love each other : preserve us, dear Lord, in peace, 
unity and concord, that with one heart, and one 
voice we may praise and glorify thee here, and 
be forever happy with thee hereafter. 



FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT. 
Gospel. — John vi. 1-15. 

At that time: Jesus went over the Sea of 
Galilee which is that of Tiberias : and a great 
multitude followed him : because they saw the 
great miracles which he did on them that were 



FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT. 167 

infirm. And Jesus went up into a mountain: 
and there he sat with his disciples. Now the 
pasch, the festival day of the Jews, was near at 
hand. When Jesus, therefore, had lifted up his 
eyes, and seen that a very great multitude cometh 
to him, he said to Philip : Whence shall we buy 
bread that these may eat ? And this he said to 
try him : for he himself knew what he would do. 
Philip answered him: Two hundred penny- 
worth is not sufficient for them, that every one 
may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, 
the brother of Simon Peter, saith to him : There 
is a boy here that hath five barley loaves, and 
two fishes ; but what are these among so many ? 
Then Jesus said : Make the men sit down. Now 
there was much grass in the place. The men 
therefore sat down, in number about five thou- 
sand. And Jesus took the loaves ; and when he 
had given thanks, he distributed to them that 
were set down. In like manner also of the fishes, 
as much as they would. And when they were 
filled, he said to his disciples : Gather up the 
fragments that remain, lest they be lost. They 
gathered up therefore, and filled twelve baskets 
with the fragments of the five barley loaves, 
which remained over and above to them that had 
eaten. Now these men, when they had seen what 
a miracle Jesus had done, said : This is of a truth 
the prophet that is to come into the world. Jesus 



168 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

therefore, when he knew that they would come 
to take him by force and make him king, fled 
again into the mountain himself alone. 

INSTRUCTION. 

The miracles of our blessed Savior, whilst 
they attract our admiration, afford us most salu- 
tary instruction : such is the miracle recorded in 
this day's gospel. Considering the tender com- 
passion shown by Jesus Christ to the multitude 
who followed him and his generous bounty in 
supplying their necessities, we may behold the 
wonderful effect of his providence over his crea- 
tures, and learn to put our confidence in him. If 
we are astonished at the miracle which the Son 
of God wrought in feeding five thousand men, 
with five barley loaves and two fishes we have no 
less reason to admire and adore his goodness in 
supporting the whole universe. His providence 
not only extends itself to created nature in gen- 
eral, but to every part in particular : each indi- 
vidual is the object of his affectionate solicitude. 

God, who is essentially good, who, through the 
effect of his goodness, has created us, never ceases 
to take care of us, as we stand in daily need of 
his assistance and protection : were he to abandon 
us but for a moment, we should instantly drop 
into our original nothingness. Nor can this be 



FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT. 169 

doubted, when we consider his anxiety for the 
preservation of even the most inconsiderable part 
of the creation : the grass, the diversity of flowers 
which adorn the face of nature, and which grow 
by order of his providence, are decked with more 
native beauty than Solomon possessed amidst all 
his magnificence : the birds of the air are fed by 
his bountiful hand ; and, if a single sparrow can- 
not fall to the ground without his permission, 
shall man, the most noble of all created beings, 
made after his own image and likeness, be sup- 
posed to be abandoned by him ? Ah ! ought not 
this consideration alone be sufficient to induce us 
to rely on the providence of God? Is it not, 
therefore, the most irreconcilable of all paradoxes 
to behold man alone question the goodness of his 
Creator ? 

The care which God takes to preserve the being 
he has given us, ought to be a sufficient reason to 
excite our confidence in his protection: let us 
then place all our hopes in him, who neither can, 
nor will, deceive us. Whatever we trust to in 
this world, whether friends or riches, is weak and 
uncertain, and often deceives us when we most 
require its assistance. 

But if we have every reason to rely on the 
providence of God, for the infinite goodness mani- 
fested in our preservation, so we are obliged 
humbly to revere and adore the secret decrees of 



170 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

his infinite wisdom in our regard, particularly in 
time of persecution, poverty, or sickness. How 
often do we behold the most innocent, upright, 
and meritorious characters, abandoned to the 
violent rage and unjust persecution of wicked 
men ; that by means so apparently opposite and 
contradictory, the secret designs of providence 
in their favor may be accomplished ? We have 
an illustrious example in the person of the 
patriarch Joseph, who was sold as a slave to 
foreign merchants, and carried into Egypt, where, 
after having remained in captivity for some years, 
upon the false accusation of his mistress he was 
flung into prison among the most criminal male- 
factors. When we consider him in this situation, 
unable to help himself, or vindicate his innocence, 
could we imagine that he would afterwards be 
raised to such high honors and dignities ; and yet 
we behold his slavery and imprisonment the very 
means by which he ascended to the second degree 
of power in Egypt. So, whilst oppressed by the 
hardships of poverty, or suffering under a long 
and painful infirmity, we must not ask of God 
the reason why we are poor, or why we are sick ; 
but rest satisfied that it is agreeable to the will 
of God, and through the dispensation of his pro- 
vidence. He has called the poor blessed, and de- 
signed for them eternal riches : though poor in 
this world, if we are rich in the next, we shall 



FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT. 171 

have no reason to complain. In all our troubles 
and misfortunes, or under whatever afflictions we 
may labor, God will be our support and our re- 
ward : if we place our trust in him, he will 
either deliver us from our sufferings, or enable 
us to support them. He will also be our recom- 
pense, if, in submission to his adorable will, we 
suffer with patience and constancy. 

Nor is the power of God, whereby he manifests 
the designs of his providence in our regard, less 
apparent than his goodness and wisdom. He is, 
of himself, and self-existent, sovereign, indepen- 
dent being, the great Architect of the universe, 
who brought all things out of nothing into ex- 
istence by the efficacy of the single word Fiat. 
We, on the contrary, are his creatures, depen- 
dent, not only on him, but upon each other. 
Now the design of God in this mutual depen- 
dence is apparent from the necessity in which 
every individual stands of the aid of another, 
that thereby each might contribute to the 
welfare of the great body of which he is a mem- 
ber : hence the different ranks in society : some 
rich ; some poor : some placed in a higher, and 
others in a lower sphere of life, requiring the 
assistance of each other : some placed in authority, 
to command ; others in a state of subjection, to 
obey. It is this wise economy that keeps the 
world in order, and prevents that anarchy and 



172 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

confusion, which otherwise would be the neces- 
sary consequence of all being on an equality : the 
poor stand in need of the rich, for employment and 
assistance ; and the wants of the rich are supplied 
by the labor of the poor : thus, whilst there exists 
this mutual dependence between them, no one 
should envy, scorn, or despise another : the poor 
must not envy the rich ; nor the rich despise the 
poor : those who are rich must imitate their divine 
Master, and say : I have compassion on the multi- 
tude, and consequently relieving them in their 
necessities, be the instruments in the hands of that 
providence which extends itself over the poor, 
as well as the rich. Thus shall we answer the 
designs of God, and fulfil our several obliga- 
tions. As we believe in providence, let us rely 
upon it, and put our whole trust in God, not 
in the things of this world: let us adore his 
secret decrees, and submit to his guidance. 
Let us concur in his designs upon earth, that 
we may merit the reward he has promised as a 
recompense to us in heaven. 

PRAYER. 

O, great Creator and preserver of the universe ! 
How wonderful art thou in the all- wise dispensa- 
tions of thy providence ! Prostrate in thy pres- 
ence I humbly adore thee, and with all submission 
resign myself to thy will through all the occur- 



FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT. 173 

rences of life. I reject all superfluous solicitude for 
the things of this world. I know that thou wilt 
not abandon those who place their trust in thee. 
Thou hast pledged thy word to supply our neces- 
sities, and to grant us what is necessary : nor can 
I have a better security than thy promise, which 
can never fail. On thee therefore will I alto- 
gether rely. I adore thee in all thy secrets ; sub- 
mit myself to thy guidance, and will endeavor to 
concur in all thy designs. O, may I never have 
any other rule for the direction of my actions, 
than thy blessed will ! May my whole happi- 
ness be placed therein, and may all my desires 
terminate in this divine petition, Thy will be 
done on earth as it is in heaven. 

How bountiful, how admirable, O, divine Jesus ! 
is thy goodness towards those that love thee ! Ah, 
dearest Lord ! what is there in the whole world 
that can be compared to thee? What are all 
earthly things to a soul who placeth its hopes in 
thee alone. Thy mercies are infinite ; thy good- 
ness knows no bounds : suffer me not to love any 
thing besides thyself, nor place my affections 
upon the goods of this world, which are unable 
to render me happy. In vain do I seek for happi- 
ness out of thee ; without thee all things are to me 
as nothing, for thou only art the object of my love, 
nor will I desire anything but thee, O, sweetest 
Jesus ! my God and my all. 



174 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 



PASSION SUNDAY 

Is so called from the immediate consideration 
of the sufferings of our blessed Savior, to which 
the church now most earnestly invites us : though 
the whole Fast of Lent is designed as a prepara- 
tion duly to commemorate the passion and resur- 
rection of our Lord, yet, from this Sunday till 
Easter Day, the Church requires we should turn 
our thoughts, and direct our devotions in a more 
particular manner, to the honor and remembrance 
of Christ's sacred passion and sufferings ; and, 
in order that we might suffer something with 
him and for him, this part of Lent was formerly 
observed with greater rigor than the rest. St. 
Epiphanius says, " All the faithful were wont to 
observe the six days of the Passover as days 
of Xerophagi, (dried meats.)" The Apostolic 
Constitutions order the faithful to fast with 
bread, salt, herbs, and water only, during the 
days of the Passover. It is to be observed that 
the ancient fathers give the name of Pasche to 
the passion of our Savior, as well as to his resur- 
rection. The Eastern Churches observe the last 
week of Lent, beginning from Palm Sunday, as 
the passion time ; but in the Latin Church, pas- 
sion time begins from the Sunday preceding 
Palm Sunday, from which day till Easter Satur- 



PASSION SUNDAY. 175 

day, the crucifixes and altar pictures are covered, 
and the Church omits her common Doxology, of 
Gloria Patri, in the sacrifice of the mass, and in 
some parts of her office, to signify to us, that it is 
a time of mourning for the sufferings of our Lord, 
as also for our sins, which were the cause of his 
passion and death. 

Gospel. — John viii. 46-59. 

At that time : Jesus said to the multitude of 
the Jews : Which of you shall convince me of 
sin ? If I say the truth to you, why do you not 
believe me? He that is of God, heareth the 
words of God. Therefore you hear them not, be- 
cause you are not of God. The Jews therefore 
answered ; and said to him. Do not we say well 
that thou art a Samaritan and hast a devil ? Jesus 
answered, I have not a devil: but I honor my 
Father, and you have dishonored me. But I seek 
not my own glory : there is one that seeketh and 
judgeth. Amen, amen, I say to you : If any man 
keep my word, he shall not see death for ever. 
The Jews therefore said: Now we know that 
thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the 
prophets : and thou sayest : If any man keep my 
word, he shall not taste death for ever. Art 
thou greater than our father Abraham, who is 
dead ? and the prophets are dead. Whom dost 
thou make thyself ? Jesus answered : If I glorify 



176 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father 
that glorifieth me, of whom you say that he is 
your God. And you have not known him, but I 
know him. And if I should say that I know him 
not, I should be like to you, a liar. But I do 
know him, and do keep his word. Abraham, 
your father, rejoiced that he might see my day : 
he saw it, and was glad. The Jews therefore 
said to him : Thou art not yet fifty years old, 
and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said to 
them : Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abra- 
ham was made, I am. They took up stones 
therefore to cast at him. But Jesus hid himself, 
and went out of the temple. 

INSTRUCTION. 

O, that Christians were circumspect in their 
behavior, and so exact in the observance of their 
respective duties, as to be able to say : Who can 
convict me of sin ? It is certain that Christiani- 
ty engages its professors to at least some degree 
of sanctity : though we cannot pretend to impec- 
cability, like our divine Master, nevertheless, by 
endeavoring to follow his example, and by regu- 
lating our lives according to his maxims, whose 
assisting grace is always at hand to help us, we 
may be able to say : Who is there that can con- 
vict me of a voluntary transgression of his com- 
mands ? Though we are not by nature impec- 



PASSION SUNDAY. 17? 

cable, and by the fall of our first parents, we are 
prone to sin from our youth ; we find a law in 
our members fighting against the law of our 
mind, and holding us captives in the law of sin, yet 
the grace of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, is 
able to deliver us and restore us to the glorious 
liberty of the sons of God ; For he that is of God, 
heareth the words of God, says Jesus Christ, and it 
is only those that can say : Who can convict me of 
sin ? Hence it follows that the commands of 
God are not impossible to be kept ; that the 
spirit of Christianity consists hi the observance of 
them : and that if we do not observe them, it is 
our own fault. 

That the commandments of God are possible 
to be kept, is an article of our faith, and therefore 
not to be questioned by any who call themselves 
Catholics. If it be necessary to observe them in 
order to be saved, it is but reasonable that the 
means of keeping them should be within our 
power. Our blessed Savior said to the lawyer : 
If thou wilt enter into life, keep the command- 
ments (Matt, xix.), but we cannot suppose he 
would have ordered him to observe them, if they 
were impossible to be kept. Our condition would 
be miserable indeed, if we were obliged to observe 
what was not in our power ! but God has not 
dealt thus with us. He is not a cruel tyrant to 
command impossibilities, under the pain of eter- 

12 



178 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

nal damnation. He is not so hard, so austere a 
master, as to expect to reap where he has not 
sown, or require more than he gave ; no, he is an 
indulgent lord — a generous master — and a tender 
parent: his yoke is easy, and his burden light. 
His commandments are not heavy, much less im- 
possible. We are able, and may, through the as- 
sistance of his grace, perform what he requires. 
It is, besides, highly injurious to God, and un- 
worthy of his justice, to admit rewards and 
punishments in a future state, for those who do 
or do not observe them, and yet suppose it im- 
possible to keep the commandments. Ah ! far be 
such blasphemous thoughts from us. Let us ac- 
knowledge the possibility of keeping them, and 
be convinced that the spirit of Christianity con- 
sists in the observance of them. 

If the duty of a Christian was comprised in 
the speculative opinions of acknowledging Christ 
to be the Son of God, and believing those truths 
he has revealed : if to talk of virtue were suffici- 
ent, without the practice of moral goodness ; then 
indeed, no one would deny Christianity to be a 
very accommodating religion, and the ministers 
of the gospel would be at little pains to bring 
Christians to their duty. But to entertain such 
notions is not less injurious to the gospel, than 
prejudicial to those who hold them, because, they 
impugn truth itself, and contradict this positive 



PASSION SUNDAY. 179 

assertion of Jesus Christ; Not every one that 
saith, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of 
heaven, but he that doth the will of my Father 
who is in heaven. The will of God is, that we 
live soberly, justly, and piously in this world, 
abstaining from all impiety and worldly desires, 
This is the spirit of Christianity — the substance 
of the commandments which we must observe. 
But if we content ourselves with the bare name 
of Christians : or, if our lives are a contradiction 
to that sacred name, in vain do we expect to be 
numbered among the children of God. 

St. Peter desires us, to strive by good works 
to make our calling and election sure. As we 
have been called to the knowledge of God and 
the true faith, and are of the number of his chil- 
dren, it is our interest and our duty to secure this 
election, by perseverance in his service. Then 
are you my disciples and friends, says Christ, if 
you do what I command you. Hence it is evident, 
that Christianity is a practical religion ; if it in- 
structs us in holy principles, it is with the intent 
that they should direct, and have an influence on 
our morals ; for it will but add to our condemna- 
tion, to profess the principles of the gospel, if our 
practice be not conformable thereto, yet alas ! 
practical piety seems almost exploded. Amazing 
paradox ! men talk, read, and hear much of re- 
ligion and piety: and yet how few reduce it to 



180 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

practice : it cannot be because practical piety is 
impossible. No ; the contrary has been demon- 
strated : the profession of Christianity supposes 
it, and it is in it, that the essence of Christianity 
consists : the cause is to be found in the depravity 
of the will, in the violent attachment of the things 
of this world. Let us not deceive ourselves, O, 
Christians ! the commandments of God are not 
impossible to be kept : it is then no less our in- 
terest than our duty to observe them : if we do 
not it is our own fault, and we shall justly feel 
that punishment which our non-observance of 
them deserves. 

From what has been said, it is evident, that we 
ourselves are only to blame if we do not observe 
the commandments: and that, though the lives 
of Christians in general be extremely irregular, 
and not conformable to the sanctity of their pro- 
fession, yet some are to be found uncontaminated 
by the almost general corruption of vice, some 
there are whose lives, by a strict observance of 
the gospel precepts, are bright examples of prac- 
tical piety. These we can and ought to imitate. 
What they do, may be done by us. And their 
strict piety is a just reproach to our criminal 
negligence. What we behold done by others, we 
cannot pretend to be out of our power, since we 
are equally capable, and have the same assistance ; 
for the grace of God, which is always the same is 



PASSION SUNDAY. 181 

offered to every one. The assistance of the holy 
sacraments is designed for all the faithful. God's 
holy word is equally preached to all, and all are 
equally told what they must do to obtain eternal 
life. If any thing therefore be wanting, the de- 
fect is on our parts, which renders us more inex- 
cusable ; and if we fail to obtain eternal hap- 
piness, by not observing the commandments, we 
have only ourselves to blame, and shall see our 
folly when it is too late to retrieve it. 

PRAYER. 

O, Jesus ! thou bright mirror of innocence and 
purity, whom no one can convict of sin ; grant 
me the grace to copy after the perfect example 
thou hast set me, that I may never wilfully incur 
the guilt of sin. Dear Redeemer of mankind ! I 
desire to transcribe my virtues in my life and 
conversation. I acknowledge thy goodness, in 
having made me a member of thy holy Catholic 
Church, and am ashamed that I have hitherto so 
faintly complied with the duties of my religion. 
O, may I be more diligent in co-operating with 
thy grace for the time to come. As my faith is 
sound, so let my life be holy, that by an exact 
observance of thy commands, I may edify my 
neighbor, and promote thy honor and glory. 
Thou hast said : he that is of me, heareth my 
words : I desire to belong to thee, and therefore 



182 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

will not only hear thee, but in all things obey 
thee. 

It is thus only, O, my divine Master ! that I 
can prove myself thy true disciple. Thou hast 
given me a sweet yoke, an easy burden ; a law of 
love, which makes all things pleasant; a law 
which is sweeter than honey to the mouth, or 
music to the ear ; upon it will I meditate day and 
night, and it shall be the only rule of my con- 
duct. Thy commands, ever sweet and amiable, 
are designed to bring me to the happy enjoyment 
of thyself. O, bounteous Lord, in all that thou 
requirest of me, thou seekest nothing but my 
good. Ah ! may I daily endeavor to correspond 
with thy gracious designs, by an inviolable ob- 
servance of all thou commandest ; and, 0,may I be 
so happy as to hear thee address me with this 
gracious invitation, Well done, good and faithful 
servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord. 



PALM SUNDAY. 

Takes its name from an ancient custom, still 
retained in the Church, of solemnly blessing 
palms, or the boughs of trees, and distributing 
them to the faithful, who bear them in their 
hands this day, in honor and in remembrance of 
our blessed Lord's triumphant entry into Jerusa- 



PALM SUNDAY. 183 

lem six days before his passion, when the multi- 
tude going forth to meet him, some strewing 
boughs of trees in the way, others spreading their 
garments, and others carrying branches of palms 
in their hands, and all exclaiming, Hosanna to 
the Son of David, etc. From this entry of Jesus 
Christ into Jerusalem, the Church reads us a pro- 
found lesson of humility. Our blessed Savior, 
though he was Lord of heaven and earth, yet 
chose to ride upon an ass, the meanest and most 
contemptible of beasts, to correct our pride, and 
teach us not to affect the grandeur and honors of 
this world, which are so vain and transitory, 
Let us then practice humility, that thereby imita- 
ting our divine Savior, we may the better dispose 
ourselves to celebrate the mysteries of this Holy 
Week, and partake of the mercies designed for 
us. 



AT BLESSING OF THE PALMS. 

Gospel. — Matt. xxi. 1-9. 

At that time : Jesus drawing near to Jerusa- 
lem; and being come to Bethpage, at Mount 
Olivet, he sent two of his disciples, and said to 
them : Go ye into the village that is over against 
you, and immediately you shall find an ass tied 
and a colt with her : loose them and bring them 



184 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

to me : and if any man shall say anything to you, 
say ye, that the Lord hath need of them : and 
forthwith he will let them go. Now all this 
was done that it might be fulfilled which was 
spoken by the prophet, saying: Tell ye the 
daughter of Sion : Behold thy king cometh to 
thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the 
foal of her that is used to the yoke. And the 
disciples going, did as Jesus commanded them. 
And they brought the ass and the colt : and laid 
their garments upon them, and made him sit 
thereon. And a very great multitude spread 
their garments in the way: and others cut 
boughs from the trees, and strewed them in the 
way : and the multitudes that went before and 
that followed, cried, saying: Hosanna to the 
Son of David : Blessed is he that cometh in the 
name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. 

INSTRUCTION. 

Nothing can be more inconstant than the 
world : nothing more vain than the honors with 
which it flatters its admirers. The wind which 
so frequently changes, is not so uncertain as 
human applause. Of this, the conduct of the 
Jews towards our blessed Savior, is a convincing 
proof. The holy Jesus made his entry into Jeru- 
salem amidst the acclamations and hosannas of 
the people, who, on hearing he was approaching. 



PALM SUNDAY. 185 

went out in multitudes to meet him, bearing 
palms in their hands, and strewing the way with 
boughs of trees. Others more zealous to show 
him respect, removed some of their garments and 
spread them in the highway ; all crowding about 
him, and singing aloud, Hosanna in the highest : 
blessed be he who cometh in the name of the 
Lord: Hosanna to the Son of David. In this 
manner they conducted him into the city, with 
all the marks of a sincere veneration: but no 
sooner had he entered into the city, than the 
multitude dispersed, without taking any further 
notice of him, or inviting him to their homes to 
take refreshments ; so that this day of triumph 
was to our blessed Lord a day of fasting, as in 
the evening he was obliged to quit the city, and 
retire to Bethania, there to seek for lodging and 
refreshment for himself and for his disciples. 
Strange inconsistency of a giddy multitude ! true 
picture of the world, and what we may expect 
from it. 

It is in commemoration of this entrance of 
Christ into Jerusalem, that the Church orders 
palms, or boughs of trees, to be blessed, and 
borne in the hands of her children ; desiring, at 
the same time, that we would enter into her 
pious sentiments, and learn those practical les- 
sons she inculcates from this day's solemnity. 
Having now passed over the greatest part of 



186 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

Lent, we are come to the last week , justly called 
holy, on account of those sacred mysteries which 
are particularly proposed for our pious reflections, 
and the subject of the long and solemn devotions 
of the Church at this time. We must now, by 
retirement, and a more than ordinary devotion, 
atone for what has been deficient in our conduct 
during the holy time of Lent. We should 
seriously consider what God has done for us, his 
immense love, and our reciprocal obligations to 
him. It is for this reason that the passion of our 
blessed Savior, the prophecies relating to, and 
the circumstances attending it, are the subjects 
of the epistles and gospels which the Church 
reads at this time. Therefore the best method of 
consecrating Holy Week to God, is to accompany 
the Church by making some mystery or part of 
Christ's passion, the subject of our private de- 
votions, We have just reason to reflect thus, 
with gratitude every day of our lives : but to 
neglect it at this time, would convict us of crimi- 
nal insensibility, justly deserving reproof. Di- 
versions and entertainments surely may be sus- 
pended for a few days, being inconsistent with 
the serious duties of this week, and should not 
be thought on, much less sought after. 

To commence this holy week in a proper 
manner, let us this day consider how our blessed 
Lord disposes himself for his approaching passion. 



PALM SUNDAY. 187 

The time being come when the Son of God had 
determined to offer himself to his eternal Father, 
as a sacrifice for the redemption of mankind, he 
prepares to enter upon the glorious, but bitter 
stage of his sufferings ; and rejoicing as a giant 
to run his course, carried on by the same ardent 
love which brought him down from heaven to 
earth, he made his entrance into Jerusalem, there 
to complete the great work he had so mercifully 
begun. He would not make his entry with pomp 
and show, like worldly princes glittering in gold 
and silver, but chose to ride upon one of the 
meanest and most contemptible of beasts. As- 
tonishing sight ! Behold the great Lord of the 
universe enters into Jerusalem, the capital of 
Judea, riding upon an ass ; and though he might 
have been attended by legions of angels, and have 
appeared with greater splendor than any of the 
Roman Csesars, yet he would not. His attendants 
are his disciples, a few poor fishermen, and the 
multitude who went forth to meet him. He 
enters, it is true, in triumph ; but it is to pass 
from that triumph to an ignominious death. He 
is ushered in by the loud acclamations of a people, 
by whom he was within a few days after treated 
with the greatest barbarity. He thus made his 
entrance to fulfil the prediction of the prophet 
Zachary, and to leave the obstinate Jews without 
an excuse for not acknowledging him to be their 



188 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

promised Messias, since there was not one of the 
prophecies concerning him, which had not been 
fulfilled in the most minute detail. 

We should learn from the example of our 
Lord and Master, to despise the honors of this 
world. Where providence has placed us in an 
elevated station, we may lawfully sustain that 
rank, which is necessary to maintain the respect 
due to the character we have to support ; but 
without pride or haughtiness, or affection for 
magnificence and parade. The distinction be- 
tween us and those of an inferior rank, may give 
us this useful lesson, that as the difference is 
not owing to ourselves, but to the bountiful 
hand of God, we must gratefully acknowledge 
his gifts, and apply them to his honor and glory ; 
we must have compassion on the poor, and re- 
joice that it is in our power to relieve their wants. 
Thus our blessed Savior was not in the least 
moved by the extraordinary honors paid him by 
the multitude, or their loud Hosannas, and pro- 
claiming him the Son of David. Drawing near 
to Jerusalem, he wept tenderly over that un- 
happy city, bewailed the blindness of that ob- 
stinate people, and shed tears of compassion over 
their impending ruin. Excellent instruction for 
his followers, not to covet honors and dignities, 
nor be elated with the praises of men ; but to 
consider ourselves in a true light, mourn over 



PALM SUNDAY. 189 

our weakness and miseries, and sincerely com- 
passionate those of others. 

Alas ! what reason can we have to place our * 
affections on any object in this world, where 
every thing is uncertain and subject to vicissi- 
tude, or seek the applause of men, which is so 
fickle and liable to change ? The multitude often 
exclaims against those as unworthy to live, whom 
a few days before they had extolled above the 
skies, nay, even deified. Those very Jews, who 
sung Hosannas to our Savior, and proclaimed 
him the Son of David, in a few days afterwards 
exclaimed, Take him away, take him away, 
crucify him. We will not have this man but 
Barabbas. 

As the ceremony of bearing palms in our hands 
is symbolical of Christ's triumph over sin and 
death, so ought it also, in some measure, be a 
mark of our victory. For, what will it avail us 
that Christ has overcome the devil, purchased our 
redemption, and restored us to the glorious 
liberty of the sons of God, if we do not endeavor 
to maintain that liberty, but permit ourselves to 
fall again under his tyranny, by becoming slaves 
to sin. In order to avoid so great a misfortune, 
we must consider that whilst we remain in this 
world we are engaged in a warfare against our 
spiritual enemies which Jesus Christ has not only 
overcome, but has left us an example how we may 



190 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

conquer them. As he is our captain, we must 
therefore obey his orders, otherwise we shall 
soon fall into their power. Looking then upon 
the palms we receive into our hand this day, let 
their mystical signification inspire us with the 
generous resolution of combating ; for, it is not 
by thinking or resolving, but by acting, that we 
can gain the victory, and be entitled to the 
triumph. A soldier, who resolved to fight his 
enemy, but when attacked makes little or no 
resistance, must expect either to be killed or 
made prisoner : what then can those Christians 
expect, who resolve to resist the devil, but on the 
first attack, surrender their arms and submit to 
his power? Such can claim no share in the 
solemnity of this day, nor be entitled to any part 
in Christ's triumph : if they remain slaves under 
the most cruel of tyrants, they have only to blame 
their own cowardice ; for, however violently 
the devil may assault us, he cannot prevail, if 
we are not wanting to ourselves. He may indeed 
solicit, and allure, but he cannot force us, since 
we have both free-will and liberty, as well as the 
grace of God to assist us. He can do us no 
injury, unless we yield to his temptations; for, if 
we resist him, he will fly from us, and the more 
violent his solicitations, the more glorious will be 
our victory, the more brilliant our rewards. The 
more wounds a soldier receives, the more illustri- 



PALM SUNDAY.* 191 

cms his victories will be, and they will tend to 
increase his reputation with his prince : so it is 
in our spiritual combats against the world, the 
flesh and the devil : the more strenuously we re- 
sist them, the sooner we shall overcome them, 
and the greater will be our recompense. Then 
may we receive palms here, as pledges of those 
never-fading crowns of glory we shall receive 
hereafter. 

PRAYER. 

Adorable Jesus! permit me with a grateful 
heart to sing aloud : Blessed art thou, O, son of 
David. Glory be to thee in the highest. But 
while I thus desire to partake of thy triumphs, 
O, let me likewise share in thy victories ; and by 
a faithful resistance, put all my enemies to flight : 
as thou hast broken my chains, let me never 
more become a slave to sin, nor rob thee of the 
fruits of that conquest which cost thee so many 
labors, and so much blood. Thou hast taught us 
to despise the fading, the uncertain honors of 
this world, and by the way of humility, dost 
conduct us to the everlasting glory of thy heav- 
enly kingdom. O, may thy example be deeply 
imprinted in my heart, and constantly before my 
eyes, that I may make it the invariable rule of my 
conduct ! Then shall I know how to be humble, 
though thy providence may place me in a high 



192 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

station ; or be content with my lot, if thou shalt 
judge proper to rank me amongst those of the 
lowest class ; for whatever may be my condition 
here, if I follow thee, I shall be happy hereafter. 

Thou, O, dear Redeemer of the world ! wast 
not in the least moved at the loud acclamations 
of the people, but didst pity their miserable 
blindness, and shed tears over their impending 
ruin. Suffer me not to be puffed up with the 
praises of men, nor value myself upon their ap- 
plause, but rather eradicate all vain glory and 
ambition from my heart, that I may seek only to 
please thee. 

O, thou true happiness of my soul ! when shall 
I seek after thee, and adhere to thee alone? 
Where shall I find what can deserve my love so 
much as thou dost? Can the world, or any 
thing it contains, satisfy the demands of a soul 
that loves thee, and is only created for the enjoy- 
ment of thyself ? Alas ! my God, the world is 
composed of nothing but vanity and deceit : its 
honors are empty bubbles ; its riches mean and 
despicable ; and its pleasures abominable ; when 
compared to thee, the endless source of all good. 
O, suffer me not then foolishly to misplace my 
affections on them : my heart was created only 
for thee, for thou hast made it for thyself. O, 
may it never be at rest, till it finally comes to 
rest in thee, my God. 



EASTER SUNDAY, 193 

EASTER SUNDAY. 

Gospel — Mark xvi. 1-7. 

At that time : when the sabbath was passed, 
Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James, 
and Salome, brought sweet spices, that coming, 
they might anoint Jesus. And very early in the 
morning, the first day of the week, they come to 
the sepulchre, the sun being now risen. And 
they said one to another: Who shall roll us 
back the stone from the door of the sepulchre ? 
And looking, they saw the stone rolled back. 
For it was very great. And entering into the 
sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the 
right side, clothed with a white robe ; and they 
were astonished. Who saith to them : Be not 
affrighted ; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was 
crucified : he is risen, he is not here, behold the 
place where they laid him. But go, tell his 
disciples and Peter, that he goeth before you, 
into Galilee : there you shall see him, as he told 
you. 

INSTRUCTION. 

What the angel said to the holy women, is 
now declared by the Church to all the faithful, 
Christ is risen. We are not now called upon, 
13 



194 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

with an JEcce Homo, to behold the Son of God 
covered with blood and wounds, clothed with a 
purple garment, and crowned with thorns ; but 
to admire him vested in the resplendent robes of 
glory and immortality ; rising from the grave, by 
virtue of his divine power : passing through the 
stone placed before the monument, and filling 
heaven and earth with joy at his triumphant 
resurrection. .Having lain in the grave to prove 
himself to have been truly man, and really dead, 
he now rises by a power which shows him to be 
truly God. Yes, Christ is risen; and by his 
resurrection has established this truth, that we 
also shall one day rise again : and as he, by his 
resurrection, obtained a new and glorious life, so we 
also shall rise to a glorious immortality, provided 
we raise no obstacles in the way. As the resur- 
rection of Christ is the certain pledge of the 
resurrection of our bodies to a state of immor- 
tality hereafter (the most consoling article of 
our creed), we have great reason to rejoice ; for, 
as the apostle St. Paul observes : If there is no 
resurrection of the dead, neither is Christ risen 
again. And if Christ hath not risen again, our 
teaching is vain. But now Christ hath risen 
from the dead, the first fruits of those who have 
slept. For by man indeed came death, and by 
man the resurrection from the dead. And as in 
Adam all die, so in Christ all shall be raised to 



EASTER SUNDAY. I95 

life again. O, happy effect of Christ's resurrec- 
tion ! which enables us to cry out : O, death 
where is thy sting ? O, grave ! where is thy 
victory? Christ is risen; yes, he is risen for our 
justification, that we also may rise with him to 
glory. But, we must first rise to a new, a 
spiritual life which alone can prepare us for a 
life of glory. Without thus rising spiritually 
from sin, we may celebrate the annual festival of 
our Lord's resurrection, and unite with the 
Church in her repeated alleluias ; but if we pro- 
ceed no further we shall reap no benefit. Let us 
not then confine our devotion at this season to 
external respect ; although it is certainly proper 
that we should on the present occasion testify 
our gratitude, for the blessings we commemo- 
rate, with all religious magnificence, and that 
the Church should now put on her best attire to 
celebrate the resurrection of her divine Spouse, 
but we must be careful to add, the much more 
valuable interior disposition of the heart, and to 
the resurrection of Jesus Christ join that of our 
own, which ought to be modelled after his ; for, 
according to the resemblance our spiritual resur- 
rection bears to his rising from the grave, so far, 
and no further, will it be to our advantage. The 
circumstances of Christ's resurrection, and how 
we are to imitate it, will be a proper subject for 
our pious reflections. 



196 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

Two circumstances present themselves to our 
thoughts on the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 
first that the life he then entered upon was a real 
life ; secondly, that it was eternal. It was a real 
life. The Lord is truly risen. It was eternal. 
Christ now dies no more. Death has no more 
dominion over him. Such must be our spiritual 
resurrection. We must make it evident that we 
are truly risen. The Lord is truly risen, and has 
appeared to Simon. To rise and not make our 
resurrection apparent, is inexplicable ; but to ap- 
pear to have risen, whilst we are still dead, is an 
hypocritical illusion. Our resurrection must also 
be permanent, for, having once risen, we must 
never fall or die again. 

Christ, when he rose from the grave, reassumed 
his natural body, the same in which he was cruci- 
fied ; it was in this, his proper body, that he ap- 
peared to his disciples, when he commanded them 
to touch and feel him, that they might be convinced 
he had flesh and bones, and was no spirit or 
phantom: nay to satisfy the incredulity of St. 
Thomas, he bid him put his hand into the wound 
of his side, and into the marks in his hands and 
feet. This reality of our Lord's corporal resur- 
rection, must be the model of our spiritual resur- 
rection. We must truly rise to a new life, and 
not deceive ourselves or others, by false ap- 
pearances. As the body of Christ, before his pas- 



EASTER SUNDAY. 197 

sion, was subject to cold and heat, hunger and 
thirst, labor and fatigue, but after his resurrec- 
tion became impassable, and incapable of suffer- 
ing ; so we, after our spiritual resurrection, must 
be free from those passions and evil habits to 
which we were before subject, that it may be 
truly said of us : behold, such a one is risen, and 
quite changed. He no longer commits those sins 
to which he was heretofore subject. He is no 
more addicted to swearing, lying, drunkenness, 
passion, &c. He is not as heretofore, cold, in- 
different, careless or negligent in the service of 
God, and the business of salvation. He no longer 
bears malice, nor seeks revenge ; he is no longer 
hard-hearted nor uncharitable to the poor. Why 
so ? Because he is risen with Christ, and enter- 
ing upon a new life; he is now become sober, 
and regular in his conduct ; sincere, fervent, and 
devout, charitable to his neighbors, zealous in the 
service of God, and earnest in the great affair of 
his salvation, Ah ! these are the happy effects of 
a spiritual resurrection wherein we must show a 
new life, and make it obvious that we are truly 
risen. Happy those Christians who by thus ris- 
ing with Christ, not only become truly partakers 
of the solemnity of this time, but receive an 
assurance of a glorious resurrection to eternal 
life. 
There is another circumstance attending the 



198 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

resurrection of our blessed Lord, which demands 
our consideration, the life which he entered upon 
after he arose from the grave, was permanent. 
Death had no more dominion over him. Such 
must be our life after our spiritual resurrection : 
for what advantage will it be to us to appear as 
if spiritually risen if we relapse into those criminal 
habits, and are again subject to the dominion of 
sin ? Having through the grace of God, recov- 
ered our liberty, we must maintain our freedom, 
and by perseverance in the service of God nourish 
the spirtiual life we have received ; to effect this, 
we must use those means which the goodness of 
God has provided for our security. We must not 
be satisfied with an ordinary devotion, or general 
promises of amendment of our lives, which are 
soon obliterated from our memories. No, the 
only way to secure a perseverance in this new- 
ness of life, is to follow the advice of St. Paul : 
If you be risen with Christ, seek the things that 
are above, where Christ is sitting on the right 
hand of God : mind the things that are above, 
not the things that are upon earth. When once 
our hearts are established upon heavenly objects, 
and our affections are not inordinately placed on 
the things of this world, the desire of that eternal 
happiness after which we aspire, will make us 
careful to secure it, by leading a life of the spirit, 
— walking in the commandments of God, accord- 



EASTER SUNDAY. 199 

ing to the precepts of his holy gospel, and thereon 
establish that confidence which will at length 
terminate in the enjoyment of God in eternal 
bliss. 

PRAYER. 

O, Jesus ! victorious conqueror of sin and death 
thou didst gloriously rise from the dead, and tri- 
umph over the malice of thine enemies, and 
thereby open the kingdom of heaven to all be- 
lievers. Grant, dear Lord, that I also may rise 
from the death of sin to a life of grace ; from the 
cold grave of tepidity, to a life of fervor. O, may 
I quit the old paths of my vicious habits, to walk 
in newness of life ; that when thou shalt come at 
the last day, I also may appear with thee in glory. 
I desire now, O, Savior of the world to celebrate 
the triumphs of thy glorious resurrection, to 
praise thy holy name for all the wonders of thy 
love. O, may that love, dear Lord, operate upon 
my heart so efficaciously, as to enable me to make 
a suitable return of love. May I prove the sin- 
cerity of my love, by observing thy commands. 
May I never more offend thee, nor become a slave 
to sin, but to the last moment of my life continue 
faithful to thee, my Lord, and my God. 

Thou art risen, O, Jesus, my dear and adorable 
Redeemer ! thy sorrows are at an end ; thy tears 
are dried up ; thou hast gloriously triumphed 



200 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

over the cruelty, and the malice of thine enemies. 
May thy holy name be for ever praised ! O, victo- 
rious Redeemer of mankind ; may all the powers 
of heaven and earth praise and magnify thy glori- 
ous and triumphant resurrection from the grave, 
whereby thou hast freed us from everlasting 
death. Thou hast redeemed me by thy precious 
blood ; O, may I never more submit to the slavery 
of sin. Thou hast broken my chains and set me 
at liberty ; let me never again become a slave to 
the enemies of my soul. What shall I render 
thee for so great a mercy ? O, that I could make 
a suitable return for thy love ! All thou requi- 
rest is, that T would love thee and serve thee ; 
can I refuse what thou so justly deservest, what 
thou hast purchased with thy precious blood? 
No, my God ! I will love thee with my whole 
heart above all other things. I will love thee 
with all possible love, for I can never love thee as 
much as thou deservest. I will serve thee, my God 
with the utmost fidelity, and will rather suffer 
death, then be so ungrateful as to be offend 
thee. O, that I had a thousand hearts to give 
thee ! a thousand lives to employ in thy service ! 
But what I have, my poor single heart, my whole 
life I now give, I now entirely consecrate to thy 
love and service. 



FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 201 

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 

Gospel. — John xx. 19-31. 

At that time: When it was late that same 
day, the first day of the week, and the doors were 
shut, where the disciples were gathered together 
through fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood 
in the midst, and said to them : Peace be to you. 
And when he had said this he showed them his 
hands and his side. The disciples therefore were 
glad when they saw the Lord. He said therefore 
to them again : Peace be to you. As the Father 
hath sent me, I also send you. When he had said 
this, he breathed on them ; and he said to them : 
Receive ye the Holy Ghost : whose sins you shall 
forgive, they are forgiven them : and whose sins 
you shall retain, they are retained. Now Thomas, 
one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was 
not with them when Jesus came. The other dis- 
ciples therefore said to him : We have seen the 
Lord. But he said to them : Unless I see in his 
hands the print of the nails, and put my finger 
into the place of the nails, and put my hands into 
his side, I will not believe. And after eight days, 
his disciples were again within, and Thomas was 
with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, 



202 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

and stood in the midst, and said : Peace be to 
you. Then he said to Thomas: Put in thy 
fingers hither, and see my hands, and bring hither 
thy hand, and put into my side ; and be not in- 
credulous, but believing. Thomas answered, and 
said to him : My Lord and my God ! Jesus saith 
to him: because thou hast seen me, Thomas, 
thou believest: blessed are they that have not 
seen and yet believe. Many other signs also 
Jesus performed in the sight of his disciples, 
which are not written in this book. But these 
are written that you may believe that Jesus is 
the Christ the Son of God : and that believing you 
may have life in his name. 

INSTRUCTION. 

The appearance of our Divine Redeemer to his 
disciples, after his glorious Resurrection, is the 
subject appointed by the gospel of this day for 
our consideration. He condescended to exhibit 
to the incredulous Thomas, the wounds in his 
hands and sacred side and mildly reproved him 
for his lack of faith. 

Christ entered, the doors being shut : he stood 
in the midst of them : and the disciples were 
glad, says the Evangelist, when they saw the 
Lord. 

The doors were shut : the timorous disciples 
being apprehensive of the resentment of the 



FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 203 

Jews, or that they might be seized for being the 
followers of Jesus Christ. 

Amidst their fears, Christ entered, the doors 
being shut : they were glad when they saw the 
Lord : his presence instantly dissipated their 
alarms : beholding him, their hearts were filled 
with consolation ; Peace be to you, were his first 
words, as if he would have said : Fear not, I am 
with you : let your hearts be at rest, and your 
minds at peace. Fear not the Jews. Fear not 
your enemies, they cannot, shall not hurt you, 
only at such times as I shall permit them for 
your good ; that by your sufferings for me here, 
you may rejoice with me in eternal glory here- 
after. Peace be to you. 

What is more desirable than peace, even in this 
world? What more dreadful than contention! 
Oh ! how many families, nay, how many nations 
have been destroyed by discord ! 

That disagreements should be found among 
infidels who know not God, is not surprising ; but 
that they should so frequently occur among 
Christians, is truly astonishing. To behold those 
who avow themselves the disciples of Jesus 
Christ attempting to ruin each other is amazing. 
Surely, they forget the positive command of 
Jesus Christ, to love one another. Christians 
of this unhappy disposition, who will not live 
in peace with their neighbors, can claim no 



204: SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

share in that peace which Christ imparts to his 
faithful followers. 

But, if peace is so desirable in our intercourse 
with the world, how much more necessary, is the 
testimony of a good conscience, which St. Paul 
describes, as the Peace of God, which surpasseth 
all understanding. This, is the only true, and 
solid peace : that which the world gives is a de- 
ceitful peace. The prophet Jeremiah assures us, 
that the world and its votaries say : Peace, peace, 
when there is no peace, and the Holy Scriptures 
compare sinners to the raging sea : never at rest, 
but tossed about by the violence of their crimi- 
nal passions. Hence, Isaias declares, that there 
is no peace for the wicked. 

Not so with the faithful followers of Jesus 
Christ: they enjoy the happiness of a perfect 
tranquillity, a peace which the world can neither 
give, nor take away. 

None but the good Christian possesses true 
peace. He is at peace with God, being in his 
grace, and consequently in his favor. He is at 
peace with himself, in the testimony of a good 
conscience. He is at peace with his neighbor, by 
promoting his welfare as far as in his power. Oh ! 
what happiness, thus to live in peace. Let us en- 
deavor to acquire, and preserve this blessed peace 
by loving God above all things, and our neighbor 
as ourselves. Let us banish discord, and labor to 



FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 205 

preserve our conscience void of offence in the 
sight of God, and man : in the sight of God, by- 
flying from sin, and all its allurements : in the 
sight of man, by living an irreproachable life. 
Then, we may hope to share in that happy peace 
which Christ gave to his apostles, and prove our- 
selves worthy to be the children of him, who is 
the Prince of Peace. 

The disciples informed S. Thomas that they 
had seen the Lord. He replied : Except I shall 
see in his hands the print of the nails, and 
put my finger into the place of the nails, and put 
my hand into his side, I will not believe — Oh 
strange incredulity ! In St. Thomas we behold 
the spirit of singularity, a perversion of judg- 
ment, and a positive adherence to his own 
opinions, with the miserable weakness, to make 
his senses the criterion by which to judge of the 
things of God. This peculiarity appears, by his 
leaving the other apostles, and being absent when 
our Redeemer stood amongst them. He exhibited 
a petulant disposition when the disciples informed 
him they had seen the Lord ; for, without inquir- 
ing into the circumstances, he peremptorily ex- 
claimed : I will not believe. He persevered in his 
resolution, and demanded ocular demonstration ; 
the testimony of his senses. 

The conduct of this apostle, is a picture of 
those who will assent to nothing but what they 



206 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

see, and thus make human reason the supreme 
criterion of the mysteries of religion : hence, the 
danger of singularity is obvious ; from this spirit 
has arisen those errors ! nay, those heresies, that 
have in every age sprung up in the Church. 

The authors of new opinions imagine, that to 
be singular, is to show more learning, and judg- 
ment than others, to advance doctrines which 
had never been before advanced, and to deny 
those which are universally believed. They thus 
appropriate to themselves, the specious charac- 
ters of freethinkers: or, men possessing strong 
sense, freedom of thought, and an unbounded 
liberty! They desire to be distinguished from 
those, whom they are pleased to designate, the 
credulous vulgar. Oh ! how contrary to those 
sentiments is that humble obedience of heart, 
which our Divine Master so sweetly enforces in 
his answer to the doubting apostle : Because 
thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed : 
Blessed are they, who have not seen and have 
believed. 

The humble and sincere Christian, will cap- 
tivate his understanding to the obedience of 
Faith, and require no other proofs than the 
authority of the word of God, as delivered by the 
Church. He, will be directed by her pastors, to 
whom Christ has said : He that hears you, hears 
me : and he that despises you, despises me. 



FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 207 



PRAYER. 

O God! thy peace is truly desirable. The 
world knows it not. O ! Thou true repose of my 
soul, withdraw my heart and my affections from 
the world and its vanities, that I may adhere to 
thee alone. Fill my soul with these delights 
which thou hast prepared for those who love 
thee: unite me, sweetest Jesus, inseparably to 
thyself. 

O ! may I continue faithful to thee ; and never 
deprive myself of that peace which surpasseth all 
understanding. 

O my Lord and my God ! shall I presume to 
question, or refuse to believe thy sacred truths ? 
My God ! thy power like thy love is infinite, and 
far above my comprehension. I adore, and sub- 
mit myself to thee, my Lord, and my God ! I 
believe all thou hast revealed. Thou art Truth 
itself. I adore thy infinite goodness in having 
revealed thy truths to the little ones, and con- 
cealed them from the wise of the world. 

Full of faith in thy doctrine, and confidence in 
thy mercy, I will adore and exclaim with thy 
apostle : My Lord and my God. 



208 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 

Gospel. — John x. 11-16. 

At that time : Jesus said to the Pharisees : I 
am the good shepherd. The good shepherd 
giveth his life for his sheep. But the hireling 
and he that is not the shepherd, whose own the 
sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming and leaveth 
the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf seizeth and 
scattereth the sheep : and the hireling fleeth be- 
cause he is a hireling ; and he hath no care for 
the sheep. I am the good shepherd : and I know 
mine, and mine know me. As the Father know- 
eth me, and I know the Father : and I lay down 
my life for my sheep. And other sheep I have, 
which are not of this fold: them also I must 
bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there 
shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 

INSTRUCTION. 

O how great is the love which Jesus Christ has 
for his sheep ! With how much justice does he 
style himself the good Shepherd. In every 
passage of the sacred writings he uses so many 
endearing expressions, and shows so ardent a 
desire that we should love him, as would almost 
induce us to imagine, that it was for his owa 



SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 209 

interest, and not for our eternal happiness he 
thus solicits our affections. He is indeed our 
Sovereign Lord and Master, the Supreme Mon- 
arch of Heaven and Earth. We are but his 
creatures, the work of his hands, and upon him 
we entirely depend. Yet, he is pleased to 
assume the engaging titles of Parent, Brother, 
and Friend, that we may give him our love ! 

In the gospel of this day, Jesus says, I am a 
Shepherd, and to prove that he is a good one, he 
says, that he lays down his life for his sheep, and 
that he loves them so tenderly as to be willing to 
suffer death itself for them. How faithfully he 
proved his love for us, is manifest by his expir- 
ing a victim of love upon an ignominious cross, 
to deliver us from the fatal consequences of 
original sin, from the power of Satan, from 
eternal death, and to enable us to become coheirs 
with Christ, in the kingdom of heaven. Oh, 
what love is like unto this ! Does it not deserve 
a return of love ? 

When Christ says, that he is the good Shep- 
herd, and draws the distinction between the 
genuine pastor, and the hireling, every Christian 
may reflect upon the station he occupies in the 
world. Christ, is the universal Shepherd; and 
all who are in the fold of the Church belong to 
him. Yet, under him, every Christian may be 
considered a pastor, or shepherd, with regard to 
14 



210 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

those why may be subject to him. Thus, all 
rulers are and should prove themselves shepherds 
of their people, — prelates and pastors of those 
souls committed to their care, — parents of their 
children, — masters and mistresses of their 
domestics. Rulers are truly shepherds of their 
people, when they govern with mildness, justice, 
and equity, — prelates, and pastors, when they 
diligently discharge their spiritual function, — 
parents, when they teach their children the love 
of God and their neighbor, — masters, and mis- 
tresses, when they take care that their domestics 
discharge their religious, and moral duties. 
Moreover, every man is a pastor, or shepherd, 
and has at least one sheep committed to his care, 
and that is, his own immortal soul; which he 
should guard even with the loss of his life. 

The hireling, says the gospel, seeth the wolf 
coming, leaveth the sheep and flies, and the wolf 
catcheth them. Alas ! how many are there, who 
abandon their souls, and leave them an easy prey 
to the devil, the infernal wolf? When unlawful 
pleasures are to be enjoyed ; when worldly ad- 
vantages are in view : then, is our duty omitted ; 
then, is our poor soul forsaken ; then, is she aban- 
doned to her most insatiable enemy. Nay, do we 
not often refuse the assistance of God, which he 
offers us by his grace, and the means to obtain it, 
prayer, and the sacraments. Thus, we prove 



SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 211 

ourselves to be hirelings: and yet, the sheep 
which we abandon to destruction may be truly 
said to be our own. The soul of every man be- 
longs to him and with his body, it will be 
eternally happy or miserable. How can he neg- 
lect the preservation of that, which is so dear to 
him? But, neglect perhaps, is not our only 
crime: we are not only negligent in resisting 
temptations when they come, we but too often 
seek them, by not avoiding the occasions which 
produce them. Oh! wretched depravity of the 
human heart — strange infatuation! thus to en- 
danger the loss of our immortal souls. 

Our Divine Redeemer, in the language of the 
gospel says, I know mine, and mine know me. 
His faithful followers know him, not only by a 
speculative knowledge or faith in him, but by a 
practical observance of his divine commandments. 
To believe in Christ, to be members of the Cath- 
olic Church, necessarily obliges us to hear his 
voice, through our authorized pastors, and totally 
disregard the solicitations of strangers, who seek 
to draw us from him. We must not submit to 
the world which would entice us into the broad 
way that leadeth to destruction. Nor must we 
attend to the suggestions of our corrupt nature, 
to leave the narrow way of the gospel, to walk in 
the deceitful paths of sensual pleasures. Oh, 
Christians ! let us follow Jesus Christ, the only 



212 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

true Shepherd of our souls. To do this is truly to 
know him. Then shall we be known by him : he 
will acknowledge us to be his sheep, to belong 
to his flock, and he will place us amid the green 
pastures, and by the still waters, abounding in 
all delights, where there will be for ever one 
fold and one Shepherd. 

PRAYER. 

O, adorable Jesus ! the true Shepherd, and 
Pastor of our souls ! What love, and tenderness 
hast thou not shown to us. Thou earnest upon 
earth, endured torments, and suffered death, even 
the death of the Cross, that we might live happy 
with thee forever. O, dear Lord ! how excessive 
is thy goodness. What return shall I make? 
Oh ! may daily, and hourly aspirations of a 
sincere, and reciprocal love, ascend from my 
heart. May I show every moment, a grateful 
sense of thy favors, by endeavoring to love thee 
more and more. 

O, Jesus the good Shepherd ! who hast given 
me a soul that I should save it, a soul purchased 
with thy precious blood : suffer me not to be as a 
hireling. O suffer me not to be careless of the 
important trust which thou hast committed to 
my charge : it is my own sheep, it is my own 
soul which if I lose I will be forever miserable. 

Ah my God ! with shame and confusion, I ac- 



THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 213 

knowledge that I have been negligent: that I 
have fled, when I beheld the wolf coming : nor 
have I resisted as I ought. Dear Lord ! for the 
time yet to come, give me grace to be careful, and 
solicitous for what is my own. Inspire me with 
courage, and resolution, to resist the enemies of 
my soul, and grant me thy divine assistance to 
overcome them. 



THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 

Gospel. — John xvi. 16-22. 

At that time : Jesus said to his disciples : — A 
little while, and ye will not see me : and again a 
little while, and you will see me : because I go to 
the Father. Then some of his disciples said one 
to another : what is this that he saith to us : A 
little while and you will not see me : and again a 
little while, and you will see me, and because I 
go to the Father ? They said therefore : What 
is this that he saith : A little while ? we know 
not what he speaketh. And Jesus knew that 
they had a mind to ask him ; and he said to 
them : Of this do you inquire among yourselves, 
because I said : A little while, and you will not 
see me : and again a little while and you will see 
me. Truly, truly, I say to you, that you shall 



214 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice : 
and ye shall be made sorrowful, but your sorrow 
shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is 
in labor, hath sorrow, because her hour is come : 
but when she hath brought forth the child, she 
remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a 
man is born into the world. So also you now 
indeed have sorrow, but I will see you again, and 
your heart shall rejoice ; and your joy no man 
shall take from you. 

INSTRUCTION. 

A little while and you will not see me ; and 
again a little while, and you shall see me. Mys- 
terious, but most instructive words ! Whilst we 
live in this world we behold Jesus Christ only 
through faith ; hereafter, we shall see, and enjoy 
him forever in heaven, provided, we fail not to co- 
operate with his merciful designs. 

Ah ! how consoling a reflection for every faith- 
ful soul ! A reflection, that should induce us to 
improve every instant of our lives, which St. James 
compares to a vapor, which appears and vanishes 
in a moment. 

Time is precious, because purchased by the 
blood of Jesus Christ. Time is precious, because 
it is given us to work out our salvation : in each 
moment of time, me may merit heaven. Time is 
short : what is past is nothing : or as if it never 



THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 215 

had been. — Time to come is not our own : we 
cannot promise ourselves one moment. The pres- 
ent time is but a moment : on this moment may- 
depend an eternity. Ah ! what would not the 
souls in hell give for a moment in which they 
might repent. 

Time is irrevocable: it cannot be recalled. 
What shall we do, who have mispent so much ? 
We must redeem it by repentance. God gives 
us time to appease his anger, and offer satisfaction 
to his injured justice. He tells us : Now is the 
acceptable time. Hereafter there will be no time 
for us. 

You shall lament and weep, but the world 
shall rejoice, are words addressed by our Divine 
Redeemer to all Christians. It is the legacy 
he has left to his disciples. To suffer is to be- 
come like him, who chose to suffer upon earth. 
His whole life, from his birth in a stable at Beth- 
lehem to his death on a cross on Mount Calvary, 
was an uninterrupted series of sufferings. It 
behooved Christ to suffer, and so to enter into his 
glory. And shall we, who profess to be his dis- 
ciples, expect to be exempt? If we desire to be 
with Christ in heaven, we must first suffer with 
him on earth. Let us with St. Paul, glory in the 
Cross of Christ ; that is, by suffering according to 
the will of God, by which the world is crucified 
to us, and we to the world. 



216 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

The world shall rejoice, indeed, says Christ. 
Bat, let that not trouble us. Sinners may rejoice 
for a short time in the enjoyments of transitory 
pleasures, but as they are counterfeit goods, they 
bring false and fleeting gratifications, generally 
succeeded by remorse. We have no reason surely 
to envy the partizans of the world. They rather 
deserve our compassion, and our tears. 

If we judge of things only by appearance, and 
behold the world through the false mirror which 
corrupt nature presents to our view, it would ap- 
pear beautiful, and fascinating ; its pleasures ani- 
mate us with the desire of obtaining them, and 
cause us to rejoice in their possession. But if we 
consider the world as it really is, now different will 
it then appear! How vain, and empty all its 
honors. Its riches how deceitful ! Pleasures how 
transitory ! Considerations like these, will per- 
suade us to prefer the service of a beneficent God 
though attended with privations, to the alluring, 
but treacherous vanities of a deceitful world. 

If we follow Christ, though we lament and 
weep, our sorrow will soon be turned into joy. I 
will see you again, and your hearts shall rejoice, 
and your joy no man shall take from you is the 
consoling assurance of truth itself, if, by the good- 
ness of our lives, we can save our immortal souls. 
The sorrows incident to this life will shortly termi- 
nate : the most excruciating pains will cease with 



THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER, 217 

death. Our afflictions will be succeeded by an 
eternity of happiness : therefore let us rejoice and 
be glad, because your reward will be great in the 
kingdom of heaven : a reward not for a few days, 
months or years, but for an endless eternity. A 
little while and you shall see me, your hearts shall 
rejoice, and your joy no man shall take from you. 
Not so, the followers of this world, their pres- 
ent joys, shall be turned into everlasting sorrows. 
They lead their lives in mirth and jollity and in 
a moment after death descend into hell ! Alas ! 
their laughter will he changed into mourning, and 
their mirth into fruitless tears. Melancholy con- 
clusion of a sinful life. O, foolish, and inconsid- 
erate sinners ! where are the sensual pleasures, 
the riches, and honors : which you esteemed 
more than the salvation of your immortal souls ? 
Attend, while it is yet time, to what is said by the 
sacred writer : How is the land become desolate, 
because there is none who considereth in his heart ? 
Oh ! that men were wise, and that they would 
understand, and would provide for their latter end. 
What consolations would they not derive amidst 
the evils of this life ; what patience and resignation 
under the dispensations of God ; what hope of ob- 
taining in the world to come, the fulfilment of the 
promise made by our Divine Redeemer to his 
faithful followers, your sorrow shall be turned 
into joy, and your joy no one shall take from you. 



218 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 



PRAYER. 

How valuable is time ! without time all other 
things are as nothing. Honors, riches, pleasures 
are of no value to those, who leave the world 
almost as soon as they enter it. O, my God, the 
bountiful author of all good ! grant that we may 
esteem the precious moments, thou art pleased to 
bestow upon us, to prepare for eternity. Permit 
us not to experience the desolate end of the un- 
happy sinners. At all times, but particularly at 
our last moments, take us under thy protection, 
that we may not fear death. Oh ! what happi- 
ness my soul ! for transient sufferings here to ob- 
tain eternal glory hereafter. Come, gracious Lord, 
come quickly ! my soul longs to behold, and en- 
joy thee for ever. May my soul die the death of 
the righteous, and may my last end be like his. 
O Lord, make us in all things conformable to thy 
will, that when released from the miseries of this 
world, we may be worthy through thy mercy, to 
enter into the possession of those joys which are 
eternal. 



FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 219 

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 

Gospel. — John xvi. 5-14. 

At that time : Jesus said to his disciples : I go 
to him who sent me: and none of you asketh 
me : Whither goest thou ? But because I have 
spoken these things to you, sorrow hath filled 
your heart. But I tell you the truth : it is ex- 
pedient for you that I go : for if I go not, the 
Paraclete will not come to you : but if I go, I will 
send him to you. And when he is come, he will 
convince the world of sin and of justice, and of 
judgment. Of sin : because they believe not in 
me. And of justice : because I go to the Father ; 
and you shall see me no longer. And of judg- 
ment : because the prince of this world is already 
judged. I have yet many things to say to you : 
but you cannot bear them now. But when he, 
the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall teach you 
all truth. For he will not speak of himself; 
but whatever things he had heard, he will 
speak : and the things that are to come he shall 
show you. He will glorify me : because he will 
receive of mine, and shall show it you. 

INSTRUCTION. 

In this day's gospel, our Divine Redeemer 



220 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

mildly reproves his apostles for not asking him 
where he would go after leaving them. He had 
frequently intimated that he was to leave them : 
that a little while they should not see him. 
Yet, they expressed no solicitude to know, whith- 
er he was going ! 

The indifference manifested by the apostles, is 
alas ! shown by too many Christians, who never 
ask that momentous question : Whither goest 
thou ? Nevertheless, it is of the utmost impor- 
tance not only to ask, but also to know, whither 
we are going : and how we may arrive in safety, 
at the end of our journey. These are most in- 
teresting subjects : they demand our most serious 
attention. 

Time passes. Life hastens to an end. We are 
all going — but whither ? To Eternity ! that is, 
to another life that will never end : to possess 
endless happiness; or, suffer eternal misery. 
Which road have we taken ? are we upon that 
which leads to heaven, or are we heedlessly 
marching on the broad way that leads to hell ? 
Let us reflect upon this topic in a temper of mind 
suitable to its consequences. 

We are every moment advancing towards 
death : and it is our interest, no less than our 
duty, to prepare for that event. There is nothing 
more efficacious, than the frequent consideration, 
that every day we approach nearer to the place 



FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 221 

whither we are going. Oh! that men were 
wise : that they would consider their last end, 
that Christians would examine themselves, and 
inquire, why they were created, redeemed, and 
sanctified. Why ! but to know, to love, and to 
serve God faithfully here, and be happy with him 
forever hereafter. 

The knowledge, and practice of these duties, 
would enable every sincere Christian, to await 
the approach of death with an humble confidence 
iu the mercy, and goodness of God : but to those, 
who are inordinately attached to sinful pleasures, 
who do not desire to leave their evil ways, who 
are assured by the Scriptures, and experience, 
that a time will come, when they must be sepa- 
rated from all worldly objects, these are become 
so infatuated, that they never ask their souls 
whither are we going. 

To believe in a future state of rewards and 
punishments, is a fundamental article of our holy 
religion ; that is to say, if we live virtuously, we 
shall be eternally happy ; if viciously, eternally 
miserable : hence, it is of the first importance 
for us to know, whither we are going ? 
Whether, by the rectitude of our conduct, we 
hope to obtain a seat amongst the blessed in per- 
petual happiness ; or, from the depravity of our 
hearts, and the impurity of our lives, we have 
reason to fear we shall be numbered amongst the 



222 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

reprobate, and suffer with them, amidst everlast- 
ing torments. 

The Holy Ghost will convince the world of 
sin, because they have not believed in me. In 
these words we are assured by our Divine Re- 
deemer, that the infidel, and the unfaithful Chris- 
tian, will each receive the reward of his impiety. 
He will accuse the former, of refusing to submit 
his understanding to the obedience of Faith: 
and the latter, of crucifying again the Lord of 
Glory, by the perpetration of those sins which 
were the cause of his death. If a mere specu- 
lative belief in what Christ has taught : if a mere 
assent to, or acknowledgment of, the truths of 
our holy religion were sufficient many would be 
safe who are now in the most imminent danger. 
But St. Paul assures us, that to attain salvation 
we must be enlivened by faith, that worketh 
by charity, that is, by good works, without 
which faith is dead. Do we believe ? The devils 
believe, and tremble ! Have not wicked Christians 
just reason to tremble, or are they more insen- 
sible than demons ! 

The Holy Ghost will accuse impious Christians 
of practical infidelity : because, they have not be- 
lieved in Jesus Christ by the observance of his 
precepts. The punishment reserved for these, 
will be more severe, than for those who have 
never known him as their Redeemer. Oh ! Chris- 



FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 223 

tians, consider this all-important subject, with 
the attention its importance demands. 

If you believe in Jesus Christ : if you acknowl- 
edge him, for your Lord and Master : prove that 
you are truly his disciples, by a faithful observ- 
ance of all that he commands : do not insult : 
do not crucify the Lord of Glory, by your sins : 
do not oblige him to accuse you of ingratitude, 
or to convince you of sin. But, if you will not be 
persuaded to reflect upon these momentous 
truths ; if you will not attend to advice fraught 
with such awful consequences with regard to 
your eternal salvation, you may perhaps perceive 
your folly, when too late, to prevent your irreme- 
diable ruin. 

The judgment which succeeds death, will be 
strict ; it will be severe : our own conscience will 
accuse, and convict us. Who is there that will 
not tremble, on hearing the denunciation of Jesus 
Christ, Depart from me you that work iniquity ! 
I know you not. Can we remain indifferent? 
Can we refrain from asking the question, Whither 
goest thou? Omy Soul! whither goest thou? 

Let us resolve to promote our interest, and 
perform our duty; let us resolve seriously to 
apply ourselves to the service of God, and to the 
salvation of our souls. The Holy Ghost will 
teach you all truth! This gracious promise 
made by our Divine Redeemer to his Church, is 



224 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

ample authority for us to place implicit reliance 
upon her decision when she declares, that the 
Holy Spirit will come upon all those who love 
him, to direct, and assist them, to enlighten their 
understanding, to confirm their faith, to enable 
them to overcome the temptations of the devil, 
the world, and the flesh ; and that by the grace 
of final perseverance, he will conduct them to the 
kingdom of Heaven. Can we hesitate, I say, or 
refuse to love so good a God ? What sentiments 
of gratitude should inflame our hearts when we 
are convinced, that God has no need of us, but 
that his paternal care proceeds from a desire of 
our eternal happiness ! What base ingratitude, 
not to love him, who has so loved us, as to give 
his own life for our redemption ! Oh ! can we 
offend him by sin ? can we deliberately make 
him become our inexorable judge, to condemn us 
forever ? Oh ! It is a dreadful thing to fall into 
the hands of the living God ! 

PRAYER. 

My soul ! whither goest thou ? to the end of 
life. We must bid a long adieu to all terrestrial 
objects. Death will come : it will soon meet us. 
Oh, thou the eternal Author of all things ! The 
supreme sovereign Lord of life and death, impress 
upon my mind, the remembrance of my last end, 
that I may frequently consider, whither I am 



FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 225 

going. I know, O Lord ! that if I pursue a life 
of virtue, I will be fortified at the approach of 
death, which is but a short passage to eternal life. 
I confess, my adorable Redeemer ! that I have 
reason to tremble, when I consider how ungrate- 
ful, and disobedient I have been to thee : with 
what justice thou mayest convince me of sin ! 
but confiding in thy mercy, and goodness, I beg 
thy grace to enable me to begin to live to thee, 
that henceforward thou mayest be the only sub- 
ject of my thoughts, the only object of my de- 
sires. 



FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 

Gospel. — John xvi. 23-30. 

At that time : Jesus said to his disciples : 
Truly, truly, I say to you : if you ask the Father 
anything in my name, he will give it to you. 
Hitherto you have not asked anything in my 
name. Ask and you shall receive ; that your joy 
may be full. These things I have spoken to you 
in proverbs. The hour cometh when I will no 
more speak to you in proverbs, but will show you 
plainly of the Father. In that day you shall ask 
in my name : and I say not to you, that I will 
ask the Father for you. For the Father himself 
loveth you, because you have loved me, and have 



226 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

believed that I came forth from God. I came 
forth from the Father, and am come into the 
world : again I leave the world, and go to the 
Father. His disciples say to him: Behold now 
thou speakest plainly, and speakest no proverb. 
Now we know that thou knowest all things, and 
thou needest not that any man should ask thee. 
By this we believe that thou earnest forth from 
God. 

INSTRUCTION. 

It having been the design of our blessed Lord 
to impress upon the minds of his disciples the 
advantage of prayer, he assures them, that what- 
ever they ask in his name, they would receive. 
As prayer is a duty every one ought to practise, 
our reflections upon this gospel will be to con- 
sider the necessity of complying, and the benefits 
resulting from a faithful discharge of this impor- 
tant duty. 

The necessity of prayer is evident, from our 
indispensable dependance on God: for, of our- 
selves we are poor, weak, and miserable crea- 
tures : exposed to innumerable spiritual, and 
temporal dangers : our necessities are so numer- 
ous, that were it not for the preserving hand 
of him, who made us, we should inevitably 
perish. This salutary dependance we acknowl- 
edge, in that admirable prayer composed by our 



FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 227 

Divine Master himself, wherein we beseech him 
to give us this day our daily bread, that is, the 
sustenance necessary for the preservation of our 
souls, and bodies. Hence, to resist, and overcome 
the temptations of our spiritual enemies, we re- 
quire the constant assistance of the grace of Al- 
mighty God, which being his free gift, is not to 
be obtained but by prayer, and the use of the 
sacraments, the ordinary channels of Divine 
Grace. If we examine our hearts, what do we 
find but evil inclinations, irregular appetites, and 
unmortified passions. How frequently are we 
overcome by temptations ? how often enticed by 
objects that flatter the senses, or gratify illicit 
desires ! But, how are we to be delivered from 
these dangers ? By the grace of God ; which is 
not to be obtained but by reducing to practice the 
advice of our dear Redeemer. Ask and you shall 
receive. We cannot flatter ourselves, that he 
will bestow upon us his graces, unless we seek 
them in the manner he has commanded. Let us 
learn our own weakness, and the necessity of 
having frequent recourse to God. Let us imitate 
King Josophat, and daily cry out with him, O 
Lord ! whereas, we are ignorant what to do, this 
only we have left, that we direct our eyes to 
thee ! If we do not petition we will not be de- 
livered. If, in danger, we will not ask for assist- 
ance, do we not deserve to receive the punish- 



228 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

ment due to our folly and ingratitude? Hear 
our Divine Redeemer addressing each of us, 
whilst weeping over unhappy Jerusalem. How 
often would I have gathered together thy chil- 
dren, as the hen doth gather her chickens under 
her wings, and thou wouldst not! Can Chris- 
tians longer remain insensible to his loving invita- 
tion ! Can we longer refrain from imploring him 
in the words of St. Peter, Lord save us, we perish ! 

The advantages to be derived from prayer are 
obvious and important ; so, too, is the obligation 
imposed upon all Christians, of discharging it 
faithfully. 

That which is performed with reluctance, is 
seldom profitable ; but, when advantage follows 
necessity, the labor is made agreeable. This is 
the general opinion of mankind in temporal 
affairs. A reflection upon this point as regards 
our spiritual duties, would induce us, to comply 
with the obligation of prayer : and none but 
those, who are altogether indifferent for the 
salvation of their souls, will neglect the perform- 
ance of a duty so momentous. 

Numerous, and important, are the benefits re- 
ceived through prayer. By it, we obtain the 
assistance of God, in all our spiritual, and tem- 
poral necessities. By it, we are reconciled to 
God, and receive the pardon of our sins. By it, 
we are protected from the assaults of our enemies 



FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 229 

the devil, the world, and the flesh. By prayer, 
we obtain grace ; advance in every virtue ; hope 
for final perseverance, and eternal happiness in 
the kingdom of heaven. 

If these are the advantages attending prayer, 
are not those who neglect it, altogether inexcu- 
sable ? Some allege the want of time. But, they 
can find time for business, recreation, or pleasure : 
and yet, oh unhappily, they neglect the pursuit 
of that object, for which they were created ; the 
salvation of their immortal souls ! Oh ! may not 
these tremble at the dreadful denunciation pro- 
nounced by the Son of God, upon those who re- 
ject his divine admonition. You shall die in 
your sin ! 

But, what is more pleasing, and consoling than 
prayer ? By it, we hold sweet converse with our 
dearest friend, with God himself ; to whom, we 
may at all times have recourse ; before whom, we 
may pour forth our souls ; admire, and adore his 
infinite perfections ; praise him for his goodness, 
and mercy ; contemplate his boundless love, and 
present to him our hearts inflamed with faith, 
hope, charity, and thanksgiving ! These are the 
generous sentiments of a soul animated with the 
spirit of God. 

Our Blessed Savior having exhorted his dis- 
ciples to pray, he also instructed them how to 
perform that important duty. If you ask the 



230 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

Father anything in my name, he will give it to 
you. That is, if you petition in his name, for 
that which will promote the glory of God, and 
the salvation of souls : if you supplicate the Al- 
mighty with respect and humility, your prayers 
will be answered. With respect ; for prayer be- 
ing an address to the supreme Lord of heaven 
and earth, a conviction of the dignity of his 
Divine Majesty, should excite in us sentiments of 
the most profound reverence. With humility; 
for there is no sacrifice more acceptable to God 
than that of a contrite and humble heart. He 
resists the proud, but gives his grace to the 
humble. It was humility that exalted the 
Blessed Virgin, to the dignity of being the 
mother of God. It was humility, that justified 
the publican. It was the humility of the Son of 
God, that redeemed the world. It is humility, 
that fills heaven with saints. With fervor, and 
perseverance, that is, if you zealously implore 
the grace, and love of God, by an unshaken con- 
stancy in prayer ; and an humble confidence, that 
God will grant your petitions. With faith, which 
is the foundation of all virtue. Faith, opens to 
our view the knowledge of God, and of ourselves : 
it is the reason of our hope : it excites our love : 
it enables us to persevere, by assuring us, that 
a light and momentary tribulation, works in us 
above measure, an eternal weight of glory. We 



FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 231 

must pray with attention : for devotion does not 
consist, in repeating a multitude of prayers ; but, 
in offering them with hearts animated by the 
spirit of God; without which, the wise man 
styles our labor, a sacrifice of fools. We must 
pray with patience and submission : that when it 
pleases God, he may grant us the object of our 
petitions, or that which he considers most benefi- 
cial for us to receive. We must pray with a per- 
fect purity of intention : that our prayers may 
become an agreeable odor before God, and that 
we may not be among those who ask and re- 
ceive not, because they ask amiss, but imitat- 
ing the example of our Divine Redeemer, who 
when supplicating the Most High, concluded with 
these words : My Father, not my will, but thine 
be done ! Then will your prayers become an 
agreeable sacrifice. Then you may hope to be 
worthy to pray to your God, to ask, and it shall 
be given to you. 

PRAYER. 

Adorable Redeemer of the world ! how con- 
descending art thou to us poor creatures : thou 
permittest us, to have recourse to thee, at all 
times : nay, thou dost even solicit us to come to 
thee, and dost promise to receive us : thou de- 
sirest we should ask, and dost assure us, we shall 
receive. 



232 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

Dear, and bountiful Lord ! shall I be so un- 
happy as to omit a duty so advantageous, as that 
of prayer ? No, dearest Savior of my soul ! I 
will make it my daily exercise. Oh, my Lord ! 
grant me the grace of devotion, that I may love 
to converse with thee, in holy prayer. Infuse into 
my heart every virtue : inflame it with thy divine 
presence that my petitions may be always accept- 
able to thee. O Lord God ! the supreme Master 
of my soul, how endearing are the ways of thy 
love ? thou hast said thy delight is to be with the 
sons of men. Oh ! give us thy grace faithfully 
to comply with the injunctions of the great 
Apostle of the Gentiles, to pray without ceas- 
ing : that we may be enabled to overcome the 
combined enemies of our souls. And when time 
shall be no more for us, do thou in thy mercy be- 
stow upon us, the reward of a virtuous life in the 
kingdom of heaven, that in the possession of 
thee, our joy may be full. 



SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 

Gospel. — John xv. 26; xvi. 1-4. 

At that time : Jesus said to his disciples : 
When the Paraclete cometh whom I will send 
you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who 



SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 233 

proceedeth from the Father, he will give testi- 
mony of me : and you shall give testimony, be- 
cause you are with me from the beginning. 
These things have I spoken to you, that you may 
not be scandalized. They will cast you out of 
the synagogues : yea the hour cometh, that who- 
soever killeth you, will think that he offereth 
homage to God. And these things will they do 
to you, because they have not known the Father, 
nor me. But these things I have told you : that 
when their hour shall come, you may remember 
that I told you. 

INSTRUCTION. 

The apostles having been informed by our 
Divine Redeemer, that he was about to leave 
them, were filled with sorrow. To be deprived 
of his divine presence amidst the trials and per- 
secutions they were to undergo, overwhelmed 
them with grief, and dismay. But, to console 
them, the compassionate Jesus promised to send 
the Holy Ghost, the Comforter : who should be 
their solace, and support, under every temptation 
and affliction. 

Our Savior frequently mentions the Holy 
Ghost, as the Paraclete : the Comforter : the 
Spirit of Truth. As the Paraclete, he would be- 
stow upon them that peace, which the world can 
neither give, nor take away. As the Comforter, 



234 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

he would enable them to support their afflictions 
with resignation, and confidence. As the Spirit 
of Truth ; he would be to them a faithful guide ; 
and bring to their recollection all things the Lord 
had said to them. The promise of the Holy Spirit, 
was not confined to the apostles : but extended 
also, to their successors, the prelates and pastors 
of the church, to enable them to instruct the 
faithful in every truth, and preserve them from 
all error. 

The Holy Ghost, is the comforter of all pious 
Christians : he animates our faith, raises our hope, 
and perfects our charity. He is our teacher, in- 
culcating submission to the authority of the 
church. By teaching us to follow the spiritual 
guides he has placed over us, and by the infusion 
of the virtues of humility, and obedience, he pre- 
serves us from the paths of error. Oh Christians ! 
how shall we sufficiently bless, and thank God 
for his goodness : not only to his Church in gene- 
ral, but to each individual, for thus presenting the 
efficacious means of obtaining the knowledge of 
the true faith ; of confessing it in our conversa- 
tion ; proving its excellence by the purity of our 
lives ; and of possessing that hope which con- 
f oundeth not, because the charity of God is poured 
forth into our hearts, by the Holy Ghost who is 
given to us. 

Our dear Redeemer warned his apostles, that 



SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 235 

sufferings were to be their portion here, for an 
eternal weight of glory hereafter. That there- 
fore, they should prepare for the combat, armed 
with resolution, patience, and fortitude. To enable 
them to succeed, he promised to send upon them 
the Holy Ghost, who should bring to their remem- 
brance whatsoever he had said to them. He 
also told them that they should be cast out of the 
synagogue : be hated by the world : and even suf- 
fer death by the hands of men, who imagined they 
thereby rendered a service pleasing unto God. 
Nevertheless, he desires them not to fear, for that 
he would send his Holy Spirit upon them, against 
which the combined powers of earth and hell, 
should not prevail, and that those who should per- 
severe to the end, would be saved. 

The apostles received the admonitions of their 
Divine Master, with implicit submission. They 
had left all, to follow Jesus Christ : therefore, 
obedience was less a duty, than a delight. After 
having received the Holy Ghost, they feared not 
threats, stripes, or prisons : and their teaching has 
gone forth into all the earth, and their words 
to the ends of the earth. Having planted the 
Christian faith on the ruins of a false worship, they 
yielded their lives as a testimony of the truth, and 
sealed with their blood the doctrine they had re- 
ceived from their Divine Redeemer. 

Whilst we admire the supernatural courage 



236 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

and constancy of these humble, these holy men, 
through whose agency the Almighty was pleased 
to establish his Church, to be members of which, 
is our happiness ; let us be firmly impressed with 
the conviction, that if we desire to follow 
Jesus Christ, in spirit and in truth, we must be 
prepared to suffer ; we must renounce every 
evil inclination ; subdue every inordinate passion ; 
and undergo even death itself, rather than offend 
our good, our merciful God. If we persevere to 
the end in the faithful discharge of our respective 
duties, we may hope to participate in that glori- 
ous beatitude promised by our Savior in his ad- 
mirable discourse upon the mountain : Blessed 
are they that suffer persecution for justice sake, 
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 

PRAYER. 

Come, O Holy Ghost ! Come, O Holy Spirit of 
Truth ! and enrich my soul with thy seven-fold 
gifts : enable me to bear testimony of the truth, 
by walking with God : make my heart a habi- 
tation worthy of Divine Majesty : adorn it with 
all those graces which can render it acceptable to 
thee : do thou enable me to perform what thou 
commandest, and command what thou pleasest. 
Every good comes from thee, for thou art the 
source of all good, if there is any thing of good in 
us : Not to us, O Lord ! Not unto us, but to thy 



PENTECOST SUNDAY. 237 

name be all the glory. For, thou art the prin- 
ciple, the beginning, and the end, of all good. O 
Divine Spirit ! come, and remain in my soul, make 
not a transient visit, but permanently establish 
thyself in my heart ; enable me to resist, and over- 
come, the enemies of my soul : all worldly affec- 
tions, and inordinate love of creatures. Oh, come ! 
and by thy divine power sanctify, purify, and pre- 
serve my soul. Come, dear Lord ! and teach us 
all truth, that we may walk in the paths of thy 
commandments. 



PENTECOST SUNDAY. 

Gospel. — John xiv. 23-31. 

At that time Jesus said to his disciples : If any 
one love me, he will keep my word, and my 
Father will love him, and we will come to him, 
and will make our abode with him. He that 
loveth me not, keepeth not my words. And the 
word which you have heard, is not mine ; but the 
Father's who sent me. These things have I 
spoken to you, abiding with you. But the Para- 
clete, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send 
in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring 
all things to your mind, whatsoever I shall have 
said to you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I 
give unto you : not as the world giveth, do I give 
unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor 



238 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

let it be afraid. You have heard that I said to 
you : I go away, and I come unto you. If you 
loved me, you would indeed be glad, because I go 
to the Father : for the Father is greater than I. 
And now I have told you before it come to pass : 
that when it shall come to pass, you may believe. 
I will not now speak many things with you. For 
the prince of this world cometh, and in me he 
hath not anything. But that the world may 
know, that I love the Father : and as the Father 
hath given me commandment ; so do I : Arise, 
let us go hence. 

INSTRUCTION". 

But the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, whom the 
Father will send in my name, he will teach you 
all things, and bring all things to your mind, 
whatsoever I have said to you. Witness in this 
promise of our Savior, and its fulfilment the love 
that he bore for his apostles and all those for 
whom he was about to suffer. On the night be- 
fore he suffered, on the very last opportunity he 
would have for speaking to the apostles he made 
them this promise. Even in the very shadow of 
death he was mindful of them and wished to do 
all he could do to make them strong and perfect 
in the faith that he had come on earth to establish. 
He was about to be put to death, and the new 
Church which he had established was to be in 



PENTECOST SUNDAY. 239 

their care. He had made them many promises, 
some of which had already been fulfilled, and now 
he tells them that the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, 
will tell them all things, and will bring to their 
minds whatsoever he may have told them about 
the government of the new Church, and whatso- 
ever else might be useful to them in the affairs 
of their eternal salvation. And how fully he 
kept the promise that he had made is amply at- 
tested in the Acts of the Apostles, where we read 
that : When the days of Pentecost were accom- 
plished, they were all together in one place : and 
suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a 
mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house 
where they were sitting. And there appeared to 
them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat 
upon every one of them : and they were filled 
with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak 
with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost 
gave them to speak. 

And what a wonderful transformation took 
place on that day ! There were the apostles, cra- 
ven, weak, vacillating men, gathered in that room 
for fear of the Jews : fearful lest the same fate that 
was meted out to the Savior would be their portion 
also. Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, who had 
but a short time before sworn that he would not 
deny the Christ, had denied him before the maid- 
servant. The others had fled or at least had de- 



210 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

serted the Master when he was about to be put 
to death, and yet they were the men who were to 
establish the new economy of Christ on earth. 
They were to be the foundation stones of the new 
edifice that he was about to erect, but before the 
coming of the Paraclete they would have been 
but sorry leaders of the new religion. But the 
Holy Ghost the Paraclete whom the Son was 
sending in the name of the Father was now de- 
scending on them, and from cowardly men they 
were about to become the leaders that countless 
thousands would follow, and under the guidance 
of the Holy Ghost were about to establish the 
true Church of Christ, outside of which there is 
to be no salvation. 

And hardly had the Paraclete descended on 
them when Peter went forth and began to preach 
Christ crucified. And amongst the very first 
things that he told his hearers was that they 
should : Do penance, and be baptized every one 
of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remis- 
sion of your sins : and you shall receive the gift 
of the Holy Ghost. And as the coming of the Holy 
Ghost is about to take place to-day as it did on 
the first Pentecost Sunday, though in an entirely 
different form, it would behoove us to prepare our 
souls for his coming, so that the Spirit of Truth 
may confirm us in his grace, and grant us all the 
spiritual favors of which we may stand in need. 



PENTECOST SUNDAY. 241 

How then are we to prepare for the coming of 
the Holy Ghost ? The proper and I might add 
the only way to prepare for his coming is to re- 
move from your hearts anything that you have 
reason to think would be objectionable to him. 
Is not that the very first thing that you would 
do if you were about to prepare for the visit of a 
great potentate or even for that of a dear friend ? 
Anything that might prove objectionable would 
for the time being at least be removed from sight, 
lest by any chance the enjoyment of the visitor 
might thereby be lessened. And so too is it with 
the Holy Ghost : he desires that you remove by a 
good sincere confession, and a hearty contrition, 
all past transgressions, and any all the stains of 
sin that might have been in your soul, for sin is 
the one great enemy of the Holy Ghost. Its 
presence in our souls grieves him, and forces him 
to withdraw his light from us : it weakens the 
charity he has infused into our hearts : it is con- 
trary to all his designs, for he it is who gives us 
grace, just as surely as it was the Father who 
created us and the Son who redeemed us. Re- 
move all sin, and all affection for it, for it never 
can be reconciled with him who is the very per- 
fection of holiness. 

The spirit of the world is another obstacle to 

the presence and reign of the Holy Ghost in our 

hearts, for there can be no fellowship between 
16 



242 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

light and darkness. The gospel tells us that 
when Christ was promising to send the Paraclete 
to the apostles that they were not of the world as 
he was not of it, and if he was so emphatic in 
stating that the apostles were not of the world 
can we not see that we too should endeavor to 
free ourselves from the spirit of the world if we 
expect to hold communion with the spirit of God. 
Take the world as it exists to-day ; take the world 
in which you live and have your being, and can 
you find in it any thing God- like ; any thing on 
which you would wish to pattern your lives. 
"Would you be satisfied to have the messenger of 
death overtake you at your daily toil, or rather 
would you not wish for some few moments of 
preparation? And as it is the meeting with 
God that makes death so terrible, and it is the 
fear that we would not be prepared to meet him 
which so terrifies us that we do not want to die 
unprepared, so too should that same thought ani- 
mate us when we are about to meet the Holy 
Ghost the third person of the Blessed Trinity on 
this, Pentecost Sunday. 

As a proper means for meeting the Holy Ghost 
you should try to act on the advice given by our 
Lord and Savior when he was about to ascend, 
into heaven, for at that time he said to the apos- 
tles : Stay you in the city till you be indued with 
virtue from above. Leaving the Mount of Olives 



PENTECOST SUNDAY. 243 

the apostles repaired to the cenacle, and there in 
union with Mary, they persevered in prayer till 
the Holy Ghost descended upon them. What a 
grand example for us ! We can follow this advice 
and need not retire to an upper chamber to do it ; 
we can pray and can pray earnestly in the sanctu- 
ary of our hearts, and we can pray in union and in 
the name of Mary the Immaculate Mother of God. 
The Scriptures tell us of the wonderful change 
that took place in the apostles, and if we prepare 
properly for his coming there will be a very radical 
change in many of us. True it is that the Para- 
clete will not be ushered in with a mighty wind, 
but he will surely come into our hearts this day 
if we be worthy and shall fill them with his 
heavenly graces. There was but one act of crea- 
tion ; there was but one Incarnation and redemp- 
tion ; in fact all the great mysteries of religion 
have been unique ; never have any of them been 
repeated ; never shall any of them be repeated ; 
none but the mystery of our sanctification 
which goes on daily, hourly, even momentarily, 
through the merits of Jesus Christ and the Para- 
clete. Let us try then to show our appreciation 
of all that God has done for us, and from our 
hearts let us storm heaven that the Paraclete 
whom the Father will send in the name of the 
Son, may take up his abode in our hearts and fill 
them with all his choice graces and blessings. 



244 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

PRAYER. 

Come, O Holy Ghost, and fill the hearts of thy 
faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of thy love. 
And as on the first Pentecost Sunday thou didst 
descend on the apostles and fill them with thy 
seven-fold gifts, so to-day descend upon all thy 
faithful, and vouchsafe to them the same gifts 
according to their varying necessities, and thy 
unbounded generosity. Give us the gift of under- 
standing, not that we may solve abstruse meta- 
physical questions, nor even the power to under- 
stand our fellow men that we might benefit there- 
by, but the grace to understand in a finite way 
some of the attributes of God, so that we may thus 
realize all that he has done for us. Give us the 
gift of knowledge ; a knowledge of the world that 
we may see how vain and transitory are its 
pleasures, and that there is nothing enduring but 
heaven ; give us a knowledge of ourselves so that 
we may see our faults and correct them, and thus 
do something for our eternal salvation. Bestow 
upon us the gift of counsel so that we may ad- 
vise prudently all under our care, and point out 
to them and to ourselves the way we should walk 
if we are to be the real friends of God. Give us 
the gift of wisdom which is nothing else than a 
contempt for the things of this world and which 
will enable us to practice virtue and to profit by 



FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 245 

the trials that you may see fit to send us, and 
offer them up Job-like for the greater glory of 
God. But above all things give us the gift of 
piety which shall enable us to look upon God, not 
as a judge whose severity makes us tremble, but 
as a most kind and indulgent Father to whom we 
may go in all our trials to obtain relief. But if 
the gift of piety is necessary for us, O God, so 
too is the gift of fear, a fear lest we might commit 
sin, and thus offend thee who hast been so lavish 
to us with thy graces and blessings. And as a 
last request, O, Holy Spirit, allow me to ask for 
the gift of fortitude by which I shall be enabled 
to overcome all temptations by which the devil, 
the world and the flesh may assail me. Grant to 
us all the graces that we may need to keep the 
word of God, that we may know, love, and serve 
him in this world, and be happy with him for- 
ever in the next. 



FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 

OR TRINITY SUNDAY. 

Gospel. — Luke vi. 36, 41. 

At that time : Jesus said to his disciples : Be 
ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is mer- 
ciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. 



246 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. 
Forgive, and you shall be forgiven. Give, and it 
shall be given to you ; good measure and pressed 
down and shaken together and running over shall 
they give into your bosom. For with the same 
measure that you shall mete withal it shall be 
measured to you again. And he spoke also to 
them a similitude : Can the blind lead the blind ? 
do they not both fall into the ditch ? The disciple 
is not above his master : but every one shall be 
perfect, if he be as his master. And why seest 
thou the mote in thy brother's eye ; but the beam 
that is in thy own eye thou considerest not ? or 
how canst thou say to thy brother : Brother, let 
me pull the mote out of thy eye, when thou thy- 
self seest not the beam in thy own eye ? Hypo- 
crite, cast first the beam out of thine own eye, and 
then thou shalt see clearly to take out the mote 
from thy brother's eye. 

INSTRUCTION. 

Our Divine Redeemer, never impressed upon 
us a precept more strongly, than that of frater- 
nal charity. By this the world shall know that 
you are my disciples, if you love one another. This 
is the true characteristic of his faithful disciples. 
The consideration of this precept demands our 
serious attention. 

Mercy is the favorite attribute of the Al- 



FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 247 

mighty. He delights to show compassion to the 
sons of men. Every moment he gives abundant 
proofs of his tenderness, and love. He exhorts 
us to be perfect, as also your heavenly Father 
is perfect, that we being merciful, may hope to 
imitate in some degree his divine perfections. 
As he is merciful, we also must be merciful to 
each other, without distinction, or limitation : 
without regard to friends, or enemies. Our clem- 
ency must extend to all mankind ; it must be 
apparent not only in forgiving offenses, but in a 
liberal dispensation of those favors, which God 
has placed at our disposal. But, alas ! how dif- 
ferent is the conduct of but too many Christians : 
who, instead of forgiving those who have injured, 
or offended them, exact satisfaction with the ut- 
most rigor. Can these persons deserve the appel- 
lation of Christians ? They may indeed usurp 
the name : but is there not reason to think that 
to such Christ will say at the last judgment, 
Depart from me, I know ye not. 

How powerful are the motives which induce 
us to practice the divine virtue of charity. How 
ample are the rewards promised, for the faithful 
performance of this God-like attribute. Blessed 
are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 
Forgive and you shall be forgiven. Give, and it 
shall be given to you. As you have done it to 
one of these the least of my brethren, you did it 



218 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

unto me. Come and possess the kingdom pre- 
pared for you. 

Our duty, and our interest, are here so inti- 
mately blended, that we cannot omit the one, 
without inflicting a serious injury upon the 
other. We are commanded to forgive those, who 
trespass against us, that we may be delivered 
from evil. Hence it follows, that unless we for- 
give all mankind, we cannot expect to receive 
that mercy from our God, which alone can pre- 
serve us from eternal death. 

Charity to the poor, is also a duty enjoined by 
the gospel. A cheerful alacrity, to assist those 
who require our aid. A benevolent generosity, 
according to our means, and a tender compassion, 
for their misfortunes, mark the true disciples of 
Jesus Christ; who, on being solicited by the 
Centurion, to cure his servant, said I, will come 
and heal him. He, is the good Samaritan, pour- 
ing oil, and wine, into our wounded souls. 

Oh ! Christians : if our dear Redeemer, has 
given us so many vivid examples in his own 
divine person, can we hesitate to practice a duty 
so essential to our eternal happiness ? can we re- 
fuse to do unto others, as we should wish they 
should do unto us ? 

Amongst all the virtues which shine with so 
much luster in the lives, and actions, of the il- 
lustrious saints, none is more conspicuous, than 



FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 249 

love for our neighbor, for in their fellow-men 
they recognized the image of their Redeemer, who 
has declared, that Blessed are the merciful, for 
they shall obtain mercy. 

To God alone, belongs the prerogative to judge 
man : because, he alone can search the hearts of 
men. He has established tribunals to administer 
his justice ; those who are not invested with that 
authority are admonished in the gospel for this 
day ; Judge not, and you shall not be judged : 
condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. 
If we presume rashly, to judge another man's 
servant, when it is to his own master he must 
stand or fall, with what severity may we not 
expect judgment from God, for our irreverence, 
and disobedience. If we would consider atten- 
tively, our numerous, and perhaps, our own 
heinous faults, we would seldom judge, much 
less condemn our neighbor. Our Divine Re- 
deemer says, Hypocrites, cast first the beam out 
of thine eye, and then thou shalt see clearly to 
take out the mote from thy brother's eye. Why 
do we deprive our neighbor of that esteem, which 
it is his right to demand of us ? surely, it is not 
loving him, as ourselves : it is not recognizing in 
him, the image of God : but it clearly shows a 
want of charity, and exhibits the depravity of a 
proud, and perhaps, a malicious heart, from 
whence this enormous evil proceeds. Hencefor- 



250 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

ward, let us put the best construction upon our 
neighbor's actions, for the law of God requires it, 
and on an impartial examination of ourselves, we 
will find much to judge, and to condemn. 

PEAYEE. 

O, my God, and most merciful Father ! who 
dost delight to show mercy unto men, impress 
upon my heart an ardent desire to love all man- 
kind. Thou, who hast created me after thine 
own likeness, do not, I beseech thee, permit me 
to deface, much less obliterate from my soul thy 
sacred image, by malice, animosity, or rancor 
towards my neighbor. Oh ! may I love my 
friends in thee : my enemies for thee. 

Thou inexhaustible treasure of mercy, and 
goodness. Thou, O God ! who out of the riches 
of thy bounty, dost liberally give to all who ask 
of thee, give me thy grace, that I may ardently 
love thee, faithfully serve thee, and eternally 
enjoy thee. Give me thy grace, that I may as- 
sist my neighbor with cheerfulness, and benevo- 
lence, and when under affliction, console him 
with tenderness, and fraternal affection, that 
having been merciful to my neighbor, I may hope 
to obtain mercy from thee, my God ! who hast 
declared, that what we do to the least of thy 
brethren is done unto thee : that a cup of cold 
water given in thy name will have its reward. 



SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 251 

The measure of thy generosity, O Lord ! is as im- 
mense, as thy riches are inexhaustible : do thou, 
enable me, punctually to fulfil the commandment 
that thou hast given us in the gospel of this day : 
that we may be merciful, as our Father is merci- 
ful that we may, judge not, lest we shall be 
judged. 



SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 

Gospel. — Lake xiv. 16, 24. 

At that time : Jesus spoke this parable to the 
Pharisees : A certain man made a great supper, 
and invited many, and he sent his servant at the 
hour of supper to say to them that were invited, 
that they should come, for now all things are 
ready. And they began all at once to make ex- 
cuse. The first said to him : I have bought a 
farm, and must needs go out and see it : I pray 
thee, hold me excused. And another said: I 
have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to try 
them : I pray thee, hold me excused. And an- 
other said : I have married a wife, and therefore I 
cannot come. And the servant returning told the 
things to his lord. Then the master of thee 
house being angry, said to his servant : Go out 
quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and 
bring in hither the poor, and the feeble, and the 



^52 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

blind, and the lame. And the servant said : Lord, 
it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is 
room. And the Lord said to the servant : Go 
out into the highways and hedges ; and compel 
them to come in, that my house may be filled. 
But I say unto you, that none of those men that 
were invited, shall taste of my supper. 

INSTRUCTION. 

Under the representation of a great supper, 
the gospel of this day exhibits the infinite good- 
ness of the Almighty, who solicits every individ- 
ual to participate in the happiness of the king- 
dom of heaven. He has deputed his servants, 
the lawful ministers of his gospel, not only to in- 
vite, but to announce : that now, all things are 
ready. His ambassadors finding us unwilling, 
God, repeats again and again his exhortations, 
and conjures us, to partake of the felicity he has 
so mercifully provided. Oh ! what goodness, what 
condescension on the part of God. Who, my soul, 
is he that invites us? It is God: the supreme 
Lord of Heaven and Earth : infinitely happy in 
himself. But who are we, that we are thus highly 
honored ! Dust and ashes. And shall we pre- 
sume to be unmindful of his repeated solicita- 
tions ? Oh base ingratitude ! Oh dreadful infatua- 
tion ! thus to expose ourselves to endless misery r 
thus to refuse the gracious invitation of our God. 



SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 253 

If an earthly prince had requested us to par- 
take of an entertainment expressly prepared for 
our reception, we would not refuse him. Nay, 
perhaps, we would consider it an honor to be thus 
distinguished : to be admitted into the palace of 
a man of his exalted dignity. If so, how can we 
refuse the infinitely greater honor proposed for 
our acceptance by the Almighty King of kings ? 
who, by inviting us to his supper, offers for our 
acceptance, the happiness of the kingdom of 
Heaven. 

Do we understand to what we are invited? 
Not to an entertainment that is to terminate in a 
few hours : but to a banquet prepared in heaven, 
which is to be eternal. A banquet at which 
will be distributed the bread of Angels, who 
together with the souls of the just made 
perfect, will celebrate forever the praises of 
their God. Then will be fulfilled that, which 
none of the princes of the world knew, that eye 
hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it en- 
tered into the heart of man, what things God hath 
prepared for them that love him. Oh, Heavens ! 
is it possible, we can refuse to participate in these 
divine favors ? But, alas ! are there not too many 
Christians who imitate the thoughtless and un- 
grateful men described in the gospel of this day : 
who not only reject the invitation but bring for- 
ward excuses which demonstrate their folly and 



254 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

ingratitude. One said, he had bought a farm, 
and he must go and see it : another, that he had 
purchased oxen, and he must try them. Impru- 
dent men ! they preferred the trifling, the tem- 
poral advantages of this world, to the truly valu- 
able, and never-ending happiness of the next. 
They regarded more, the perishable wealth of 
this life, than the possession of those riches in 
that kingdom where neither rust nor moth do 
consume, nor thieves dig through and steal. 
They were obstinately deaf to the voice of their 
Redeemer, communicated through his pastors, 
to lay up treasures for themselves in the king- 
dom of heaven. Alas ! unhappy worldings, are 
pleased to barter the inexhaustible riches of 
heaven, for perishable mammon, or the gratifica- 
tion of their corrupt inclinations ; unmindful of 
the important question put by Jesus Christ him- 
self to all his disciples, What doth it profit a 
man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the 
loss of his own soul ! or what exchange shall a 
man give for his soul ? 

Among others invited to the supper was one, 
who said that he had married a wife, and rudely 
answers he could not go. How small the number 
of those, who embrace the chaste delights of 
heaven : who altogether devote themselves to the 
service of God. How numerous the votaries of 
sensual pleasure: who rather than forego the 



SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 255 

gratification of their unlawful desires, relinquish 
all pretensions to future happiness. Oh, Chris- 
tians ! can the honors, or pleasures of the uni- 
verse, offer a sufficient recompense for the forfeit- 
ure of the eternal presence of God : for the loss of 
the happiness of heaven : or for the misery of 
being the everlasting companions of the inhabit- 
ants of hell ? 

Oh! that men were wise, that they would 
weigh these things in the balance of the sanc- 
tuary. Then, would we not only accept with 
joy the gracious invitation, but studiously avoid 
every occasion which might endanger our attain- 
ing to a seat in the kingdom of God. 

The apology offered by the men in the gospel, 
excited the indignation of their prince ; inso- 
much, that he declared, that none of them 
should taste of his supper. God, who is infi- 
nitely good and gracious, who has prepared for 
us an eternity of happiness ; who has repeatedly 
called upon us to partake thereof ; who expects 
our coming, with an incomparable patience : and 
who has sent his messengers to announce to us 
that, now all things are ready, will punish 
our ingratitude, with a severity proportioned to 
the offense committed against his tender invita- 
tion. In the exercise of his justice, we shall feel 
the rigor of his chastisements : he will exclude 
us from the celestial banquet to which we are now 



256 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

invited ; and receive those, who are more worthy 
of his regard : he will forsake us ; and then we 
may lament over our folly, in having obstinately 
rejected his merciful solicitation. We may per- 
mit the devil, the world, and the flesh, to assume 
an entire dominion over our unhappy souls, but 
the time will arrive, when we will experience the 
dismal consequences attached to sin : when aban- 
doned by the Almighty, and become a prey to re- 
morse, and unavailing sorrow, we may forever 
weep over our irremediable ruin. To avoid such 
a dreadful calamity, let us attend to the voice of 
the ambassador of nations, who declares that 
now therefore, is the acceptable time. Now we 
must endeavor by good works, to make our call- 
ing and election sure: that we may avoid the 
terrible denunciation pronounced against all sin- 
ners by the Prince of Heaven and Earth, De- 
part from me ye workers of iniquity. 

PRAYER. 

O, thy unspeakable goodness O God ! thus to 
invite poor sinners to thy heavenly banquet : 
there to participate in the enjoyment of eternal 
bliss. Truly, O my soul ! may we exclaim with 
the Royal Prophet, Lord, what is man that thou 
art mindful of him, or the son of man that thou 
dost regard him. By the pastors of thy Church 
thou dost invite, solicit, and conjure us to ap- 



THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 257 

proach to thee ; accompanied with the assurance 
that if we yield obedience, our recompense wilj/ 
be most magnificent : such as shall not have en- 
tered into the heart of man to conceive. But, if 
we refuse submission to thy injunctions, our con- 
demnation will be the effect of our folly, our pun- 
ishment will be commensurate with the enormity 
of our ingratitude. 

Adorable Savior ! I ardently desire to partake 
of thy heavenly banquet, there to satisfy all the 
desires of my heart. Remove, I beseech thee ! 
every impediment that may obstruct my becom- 
ing inseparably united to thee. For thee, I re- 
nounce the world. Farewell honors, riches, and 
all sordid pleasures : no longer shall you engage 
my affections, henceforward they are placed upon 
more noble objects : upon God himself, and the 
inestimable delights that flow from his Divine 
Majesty. Oh, how happy is the soul who loves 
thee, O God! happy here, in an humble confi- 
dence in thy mercy : infinitely more happy here- 
after, in full enjoyment of thee, O Lord, forever ! 



THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 

Gospel. — Lithe xv. 1-10. 

At that time : The publicans and sinners drew 
near unto him to hear him. And the Pharisees 
i7 



258 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

and scribes murmured, saying : This man re- 
ceiveth sinners and eateth with them. And he 
spoke to them this parable, saying : What man 
of you that hath a hundred sheep ; and if he shall 
lose one of them, doth he not leave the ninety- 
nine in the desert, and go after that which was 
lost until he find it ? And when he hath found 
it, lay it upon his shoulders rejpicing ; and com- 
ing home, call together his friends and neighbors, 
saying to them : Rejoice with me, because I have 
found my sheep that was lost ? I say to you, 
that even so there shall be joy in heaven upon 
one sinner that doth penance, more than upon 
ninety-nine just who need not penance. Or, 
what woman, having ten groats, if she lose one 
groat, doth not light a candle, and sweep the 
house, and seek diligently until she finds it? 
And when she hath found it, call together her 
friends and neighbors, saying : Rejoice with me, 
because I have found the groat which I had lost ? 
So I say to you, there shall be joy before the 
angels of God upon one sinner doing penance. 

INSTRUCTION. 

In the gospel of this day, the infinite love and 
mercy of God manifest themselves in language 
consolatory, and instructive. Our Divine Re- 
deemer, compares himself to a man, who having 
lost one of an hundred sheep, left the ninety- 



THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 259 

nine in the desert, to seek that which had been 
lost ; and having recovered it, he takes it upon 
his shoulders, carries it back to the flock, and 
invites his neighbors to rejoice with him. 

When a sinner wanders from the paths of vir- 
tue, and precipitates himself into the gulf of vice, 
God seeks him, and endeavors to bring him back 
to his paternal bosom : he calls him by his grace : 
he solicits him by the interior admonition of his 
conscience : and, by the voices of his ministers, 
the true pastors of the Church of God. They are 
commanded, to exhibit to his view, the dangers 
with which he is surrounded, the alarming con- 
sequences which result from a perseverance in 
his guilty career : they will represent the good- 
ness and bounty of God, who will receive him 
with kindness, and nourish his soul in the pas- 
tures of eternal life. 

It is thus the benevolent Jesus manifests his 
love for his sheep ; thus, he not only gives 
peace on earth to men of good will ; but also 
joy to the inhabitants of heaven : for, the angels 
rejoice at the conversion of a sinner ! 

Should not the consideration of the love of 
God for us, fill every heart, with gratitude : 
quicken every wandering soul with a sincere de- 
sire to return, and be converted to the Lord our 
God ? Those, who obstinately persevere in refus- 
ing the proffered mercy, may indeed tremble : 



260 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

to them, the Prophet addresses himself: thy 
perdition is of thyself, O, Israel ! 

Let us reflect on what we are deprived of by sin. 
Sin, robs us of the grace of God : a jewel so pre- 
cious, that as none but God can give it, so none 
but God, can appreciate its value. Grace, is the 
source or all blessings : by grace, we are the be- 
loved children of God. Grace, gives us a title to 
the kingdom of heaven : by grace we participate 
in the prayers, and sacraments of the Church : 
by grace, we partake of the merits of the Saints : 
by grace, we become heirs of God, and coheirs 
with Christ ! 

Oh, Christian ! behold the inestimable blessings 
which you forfeit by sin. By sin, we are the en- 
emies of God. By sin, we are deprived of the 
best of Fathers. By sin, God becomes an inexor- 
able judge to condemn and punish sinners. By 
sin, we are the willing slaves of the devil. By 
sin, we expel the Holy Ghost, who has declared, 
that he will not dwell in a soul defiled with sin. 
By sin, we are deprived of the society of angels. 
By sin, we become the companions of devils, and 
must expect to share in their eternal torments ! 

If these are the deplorable effects produced by 
sin, how immense is the mercy of our God ! who, 
desires not the death of a sinner, but rather that 
he be converted, and live : who seeks after those 
who have lost their baptismal innocence, and 



THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 261 

most earnestly desires they may purify them- 
selves in the salutary waters of penance, that he 
may restore them to peace, and perpetual hap- 
piness. Let us contemplate the soul restored by 
perfect penance to the friendship of God. By 
penance, the sheep that was lost has been found. 
By penance, the Church upon earth gives glory 
to God. By penance, the Church in heaven re- 
joices. By penance, there shall be joy in heaven 
upon the sinner that doeth penance, more than 
upon ninety-nine just, who need not penance. 
By penance, the soul that had the misfortune to 
fall into mortal sin, has been delivered from per- 
petual slavery : from cruel chains : from a loath- 
some prison : from the servitude of the devil : 
from the bonds of sin : and from the dungeon of 
hell, which has been prepared for obdurate 
sinners. 

O penitent soul, rejoice ! Inexpressible is thy 
joy, and consolation : magnify the goodness, and 
mercy of thy God : who has liberated thee, from 
the captivity of sin : who has rescued thee, from 
eternal death. 

May I regard it as a sacred duty, faithfully to 
adhere to the Good Shepherd, who has merci- 
fully sought after me when I was lost. Oh! 
may I not live to be so ungrateful to my God, so 
unjust to my own soul, as to abandon the path of 
virtue ! 



262 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

These are the instructions to be derived from 
the gospel of this day : by repentance, we may 
return to God ; and by his mercy, we may be 
ever his faithful children, his sheep, who hear 
his voice, and follow him. 

PRAYER. 

O Jesus, the true Shepherd of our souls ! How 
can I appear in thy presence conscious of my re- 
peated wandering, having wandered like a sheep 
that was lost ? Ah ! my God, why did I leave 
thy delightful pastures ! why did I separate my- 
self from the company of the just, thy faithful 
sheep. Alas ! why did I lose myself in the laby- 
rinth of sin ! Dear Lord ! I now desire to return 
to thee, with a heart penetrated with the deepest 
sorrow for having abandoned thee. 

Thou hast been graciously pleased to restore 
me to thy fold. O my Savior ! I adore thy in- 
finite love, and goodness : henceforward, I will 
endeavor to meditate upon thy mercy, to praise 
and adore thy unspeakable bounty to me a sinner. 
I implore thee to grant me thy grace, to do that 
which thou commandest, and command what thou 
pleasest; to suffer what thou permittest; and 
permit what thou pleasest. 



FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 263 

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 

Gospel. — Luke v. 1, 11. 

At that time : It came to pass, that when the 
multitude pressed upon him to hear the word of 
God, he stood by the lake of Genesareth. And 
he saw two ships standing by the lake : but the 
fishermen were gone out of them and were wash- 
ing their nets. And going up into one of the 
ships that was Simon's, he desired him to draw 
back a little from the land. And sitting, he 
taught the multitudes out of the ship. Now 
when he had ceased to speak, he said to Simon : 
Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets 
for a draught. And Simon, answering, said to 
him : Master, we have labored all the night, and 
have taken nothing : but at thy word I will let 
down the net. And when they had done this, 
they enclosed a very great multitude of fishes 
and their net broke. And they beckoned to 
their partners that were in the other ship, that 
they should come and help them. And they 
came and filled both the ships, so that they were 
almost sinking. Which when Simon Peter saw, 
he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying: Depart 
from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he 
was wholly astonished, and all that were with 
him, at the draught of the fishes which they had 



264 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

taken. And so were also James and John the 
sons of Zebedee, who were Simon's partners. 
And Jesus saith to Simon : Fear not : from hence- 
forth thou shalt catch men. And having brought 
their ships to land, leaving all things they fol- 
lowed him. 

INSTRUCTION. 

From the gospel of this day we receive one of 
the most important lessons conveyed to us 
through the sacred writings. Master, we have 
labored all night, and have taken nothing. 
Here is exhibited to our view, the vanity; the 
nothingness of this world. Nothing herein can 
give happines to man : riches, honors, and pleas- 
ures, are ever accompanied with anxiety, if not 
with remorse ; avarice, ambition, and sensuality, 
are the concomitants of all earthly pursuits. 

The world may be compared to a violently 
agitated sea, whereon sinners labor incessantly 
during the dark, and tempestuous career of life : 
when the morning of eternity dawns upon them, 
what are the fruits of their labors ? their anxie- 
ties ? alas ! they will exclaim, We have labored 
all night, and have taken nothing ! Treacherous, 
deceitful world, too late have I known thee ! how 
many false prophets are there to delude us ? how 
many like Judas, to betray ? wretched world ! thy 
griefs are genuine : thy pleasures are counterfeit. 



FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 265 

But, why have so many Christians labored in 
vain ? because, they have not fervently, and per- 
severingly, worked out their salvation with fear, 
and trembling, because, they occupied themselves 
in seeking after the empty shadows ; the fleeting 
pleasures of this transitory world ; and neglected 
the great affair of their salvation. 

If we examine the nature of worldly happi- 
ness, riches will first claim our attention. These 
intrinsically are not evil. They may be, they 
ought to be made instrumental in procuring our 
eternal happiness : an immoderate desire to ob- 
tain them, by means irreconcilable to the maxims 
of the gospel is sinful. To possess riches with- 
out appropriating that portion which belongs to 
God, in the manner prescribed by the gospel, but 
devoting all to Caesar, or the world, is, not to make 
them conducive to our everlasting felicity, but 
rather to endanger the salvation of our immortal 
souls. 

Pleasures are deceitful snares laid by our ene- 
mies the devil, the world, and the flesh. Be- 
hold, the true exposition of all earthly enjoy- 
ments, as defined by the wisest among the 
children of men, all the kings of the earth sought 
the presence of Solomon, to hear the wisdom, 
that God had put into his heart. 

I said I will go, and abound in delights, and this 
was vanity. 



266 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

I denied myself no pleasure that my heart 
could desire, and yet, all was vanity, and afflic- 
tion of spirit. 

I saw all the things that are under the sun, 
and behold, they are vanity, and affliction of 
spirit. 

Truly may it be said, the world is vanity. 
How can happiness be found amid the pleasures 
of the world ? When in the possession of wealth, 
have we not experienced the insatiable cravings 
of avarice, and an unwearied solicitude for its in- 
crease ? When under the influence of ambition, 
what disappointments, and mortifications, have 
we not endured to obtain a fleeting honor! 
When in the pursuit of pleasure, has not every 
faculty of mind and body been exerted, to possess 
a temporary gratification which was perhaps to 
be succeeded by everlasting death ! Oh truly ! 
has the eminent author of the Imitation of Christ 
declared, that all is vanity but to love God, and 
serve him. At the command of Jesus, St. Peter 
cast his net into the sea, and it enclosed a very 
great multitude of fishes. 

Happy ! thrice happy those, who hear the 
word of God, and keep it ! who obey the voice 
of God: who renounce the servitude of Mam- 
mon, for the glorious freedom of the children of 
God: who imitate the brilliant example of the 
apostles : who, leaving all things, followed him. 



FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 267 

We have the undoubted authority of Christ him- 
self, that every one that hath left house, or 
brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, 
or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall 
receive a hundred-fold, and shall possess life 
everlasting. By a hundred-fold, we are con- 
soled with the assurance given us by truth itself, 
that even here, we shall enjoy an interior tran- 
quillity arising from the testimony of a good con- 
science, which the world can neither give, nor 
take away. By the Almighty, we are graciously 
promised a participation in the unspeakable joys 
of the kingdom of heaven. Oh ! can we hesitate 
to prepare for this supreme happiness ? Should 
we not determine to co-operate with our merciful 
Redeemer : renounce the vanities of the world, 
the suggestions of our enemies, and the allure- 
ments of pleasure ? Thus, we may secure peace 
for our souls in this life, and eternal felicity in 
the next. 

PEAYEE. 

O, Jesus, my adorable Master ! how can I de- 
lay, when thou callest me ? can I disregard thy 
merciful invitation, when I am convinced that by 
following, and serving thee, I shall possess eter- 
nal happiness ? O, Eternal source of all good ! 
how much I owe thee, for thy gracious conde- 
scension in soliciting one so totally unworthy, to 



268 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

partake of thy immeasurable generosity. May 
thy grace penetrate my inmost soul ; that I may 
reciprocate thy paternal tenderness. 

As nothing in this world deserves my affec- 
tions, do thou, O true life of my soul ! occupy my 
heart. Sincerely, I desire to die to this world : 
to live only to love, and serve thee. Enable me, 
O God ! to love thee with all my heart, with all 
my soul, with all my strength. Oh ! that I could 
love thee, as thou deservest to be loved. Oh! 
when shall I be so happy as to see thee, love 
thee, and enjoy thee forever: thou alone, O 
divine Redeemer ! canst satisfy the desires of my 
soul, for alas ! in every other pursuit, I find, I 
have taken nothing. 



FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 

Gospel.— Matt v. 20-24. 

At that time : Jesus said to his disciples : Un- 
less your justice abound more than that of the 
scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into 
the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that 
it was said to them of old : Thou shalt not kill. 
And whosoever shall kill, shall be in danger of 
the judgment. But I say to you, that whoso- 
ever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger 
of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to 



FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 269 

his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the coun- 
cil. And whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall 
be in danger of hell fire. If therefore thou offer 
thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember 
that thy brother hath any thing against thee ; 
leave there thy offering before the altar, and go 
first to be reconciled to thy brother : and then 
come and offer thy gift. 

INSTRUCTION. 

Our Divine Master informs us, that unless our 
justice or righteousness, exceeds that of the 
scribes and Pharisees, we shall not enter the 
kingdom of heaven. The scribes, were the Doc- 
tors, and expounders of the Jewish law. The 
Pharisees, were those who rigidly observed the 
law in its minutest details. They fasted, gave 
alms, and made long prayers : they had the ap- 
pearance of piety, and morality. Yet our Re- 
deemer has declared that unless our righteous- 
ness exceed theirs, we shall not enter the king- 
dom of heaven. 

If truth itself, has thus spoken, shall we pre- 
sume to expect, that a superficial observance of 
our duty, will secure our salvation ? Let us con- 
sider the righteousness of the Pharisees : and 
see wherein it was defective, and why it was 
condemned. 

The righteousness of the scribes and Phari- 



270 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

sees, was extremely deficient. They affected an 
austere observance of the external rites of the 
Jewish law: they washed their hands before 
they took their meals : they gave the tithes of 
mint, annis, and cummin: they fasted often, 
and offered protracted prayers. Nevertheless, 
they omitted the indispensable obligations of 
justice, and judgment: mercy, and charity, 
their hypocrisy, pride and ambition were obvious. 
To gain the reverential regard of men : to despise 
all others as less holy than themselves : to per- 
vert the law, of which they were the interpreters, 
and thus conceal their hatred of their enemies, 
were the motives and object of their actions. 

In that beautiful epitome of Christian duty 
which our Redeemer delivered on the mountain, 
we read : You have heard that it hath been said, 
thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thy ene- 
my. But I say to you, love your enemies, do 
good to them that hate you, and pray for them 
that persecute and calumniate you. To hate 
our enemies was a wicked inference, which the 
scribes, and pharisees, drew from the sacred text. 
Our Divine Master, commands us to love our ene- 
mies, if we desire to enter the kingdom of heaven. 

The justice of the scribes, and Pharisees, 
however brilliant before men, being unaccompa- 
nied with that purity of intention, which could 
make it acceptable to the Almighty, and condu- 



FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 271 

cive to his glory, was rejected. Let their con- 
demnation be a volume of instruction for us : we 
have received a more holy, a more perfect law : 
we are required to observe it faithfully : our non- 
compliance will involve us in the guilt, and con- 
sequently expose us to the dreadful punishment 
pronounced against the Pharisees and with them 
be excluded from the kingdom of heaven. 

How far our righteousness exceeds that of the 
scribes and Pharisees, is a subject that demands 
our serious consideration. They sought not the 
glory of God, but the applause of men : hence, 
we discover wherein we are to excel them by di- 
recting all our actions, and exercises of piety to 
the honor of God. 

When we give alms, they are not to be be- 
stowed through a spirit of pride, or ambitious 
display, they must be given in secret: The gospel 
says, our left hand is not to know what our right 
hand does : thereby intimating, that we should 
desire our gifts to be known to God alone. Alms 
thus given will be acceptable to the Most High : 
they will preserve us from that most dangerous 
of temptations, pride. Our Redeemer has com- 
manded us, to let our light shine before men, 
that seeing our good works they may glorify our 
Father who is in heaven. St. Gregory explains 
that passage thus : Our good works are to be so 
done in public, that our neighbor may be edified, 



272 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

and our intention being to promote the glory of 
God, he may be graciously pleased to regard 
them as if performed in private. 

When we pray we are not to imitate the Phar- 
isees, who prayed at the corners of the streets : 
but we should pray in retirement, where God 
alone, beholds us. 

The Redeemer does not here speak of those 
days dedicated to the worship of God : but by 
the gospel we are commanded to avoid all osten- 
tation at the public service of the Church ; we 
are exhorted to visit the temples of the Almighty, 
yield him our homage, and our love, and edify 
our neighbor. 

The Pharisees fasted often : our Savior does 
not condemn them for fasting, but for their dis- 
simulation : for desiring to be considered as 
personages of more than ordinary self-denial, 
whilst their hearts were filled with pride ! 

Fasting is a Christian duty : to be observed 
in a penitential spirit : to obtain the pardon of 
our sins : to mortify the flesh : to subdue our 
irregular passions, and inordinate desires. 

But the justice of Christians, ought to far exceed 
that of the Pharisees. The peculiar excellence, 
and sublime perfection of the Christian religion, 
appears in the short, but comprehensive precept, 
to love God above all things, and our neighbor 
as ourselves. By this law we are commanded 



FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 273 

to love all mankind, our friends, our enemies, 
and do good to those who hate us, and thus be- 
come perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. 

God, is our common Father : he is our Crea- 
tor. Our neighbor is our brother : if he has of- 
fended us, we must forgive him : if we have in- 
jured him, we must make amends, and become 
reconciled to him. The precept is so obligatory, 
that our Savior desires us to leave our gifts 
at the altar, and be reconciled to our brother. 
when prevented by absence, or any other lawful 
impediment, we must forgive those who have in- 
jured, or offended us, if we expect to obtain for- 
giveness from God. Thus in our daily prayer 
we beseech him, to forgive us our trespasses, as 
we forgive those who trespass against us. By 
this all men shall know that you are my disciples, 
if you have love one for another. Thus, let us 
prove that our justice does exceed that of the 
Pharisees that we may hope to enter the king- 
dom of heaven. 

PRAYER. 

O, Divine Savior, who earnest not to destroy, 
but to fulfil the law ! Thou hast vouchsafed to 
instruct us, that we may observe thy command- 
ments more perfectly, than the scribes and Phar- 
isees did the law of Moses. Give me thy grace, 
that I may be enabled to fulfil my duty, and each 
18 



274 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

day advance in virtue. O, thou, Author of all 
good ! enrich my soul with every perfection that 
can make me acceptable to thee. 

Thou earnest, Dear Redeemer, to cast the holy 
fire upon earth : may it inflame my heart, and 
consume every affection that is not centred in 
thee! that I may serve thee, with augmented, 
and constant fervor. 

O Jesus, my God! I desire to love thee above 
all things. Enable me to love my neighbor as 
myself. For the love of thee, I sincerely forgive 
those who may have injured, or offended me. I 
beseech thee, assist me to make satisfaction 
wherever it may be due. Oh, meTciful God! 
grant me thy grace to live in peace, and die in 
charity with all mankind. 



SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 

Gospel. — Mark viii. 1-9. 

At that time : When there was a great multi- 
tude with Jesus, and had nothing to eat : calling 
his disciples together, he saith to them : I have 
compassion on the multitude, for behold they 
have now been with me three days, and have 
nothing to eat : and if I should send them away 
fasting to their own home they will faint in the 
way : for some of them came afar off. And his 



SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 275 

disciples answered him : From whence can any- 
one fill them here with bread in the wilderness ? 
And he asked them : How many loaves have ye ? 
Who said : Seven. And taking the seven loaves, 
giving thanks he broke, and gave to his disciples 
for to set before them, and they set them before 
the people. And they had a few little fishes; 
and he blessed them, and commanded them to be 
set before them. And they did eat and were 
filled, and they took up that which was left of 
the fragments, seven baskets. And they that 
had eaten were about four thousand : and he sent 
them away. 

INSTRUCTION. 

The miracle which is the subject of this day's 
gospel, is one of those stupendous exhibitions of 
Almighty power which is replete with instruc- 
tion, and admirably adapted to strengthen, and 
console us, in our mortal pilgrimage. 

If we regard with admiration, the compassion 
of Jesus, for the multitude, who had followed 
him : if we contemplate with astonishment, four 
thousand persons fed with seven loaves, and a 
few little fishes: if we behold, seven baskets 
filled with the fragments: how wonderful his 
mercy ! how illimitable his power ! 

I have compassion on the multitude, said the 
holy Jesus. What goodness in this tender ex* 



276 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

expression ! The pious multitude had attended 
to hear his sermon for three days, and had noth- 
ing to eat. He would not send them away fast- 
ing, lest they should faint in the way ! I have 
compassion on the multitude. Let us learn, and 
also practise a duty, which we are bound to obey. 
If Jesus Christ, has thus expressed his tender 
concern for the multitude, he exhorts us to have 
compassion for each other ! it is an obligation in- 
separable from our Christian character : behold, 
says Christ, I have given you an example. 

Compassion consists in a delicate regard for 
the afflictions of another : it is a noble sympathy 
we have for whatever may affect our neighbor : 
it instructs us to rejoice with him in prosperity, 
to mourn with him in adversity : it prohibits our 
saying or doing anything that may disturb his 
peace : it regulates not only our actions, but our 
thoughts and words in his regard : and it makes 
us prompt to assist him in all his necessities. 

But, if compassion thus regards our neighbor, 
in reference to the mutual connection we have 
with each other, it more particularly displays it- 
self towards the children of affliction. The mis- 
fortunes of this life are so various, that we can 
never want for objects of commiseration : and 
not to be affected thereby, must prove us as im- 
pervious to the dictates of humanity as unmindful 
of the precepts of our holy religion. 



SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 277 

To be truly compassionate is to assist those 
who require our aid, and to imitate the example 
of our Blessed Savior : to prevent in some meas- 
ure the necessities of others, by a seasonable as- 
sistance. Our Redeemer did not delay until he 
heard the people cry out for food. He knew 
their wants ; therefore, said he to his disciples, 
I have pity on the multitude ! 

The tender Christian on beholding a fellow 
creature in distress, immediately considers how 
he can alleviate his sorrows : how administer to 
his wants. His concern is heightened by the just, 
but powerful reflection, that he might have been 
placed in a like situation : that he has not, is to 
be attributed to the goodness and mercy of God. 
If the corporal necessities of mankind thus elicit 
our commiseration, how much more should the 
weaknesses, and natural infirmities of our minds, 
be objects for the exercise of this Christian virtue. 
Hence, if we meet with those who are weak, 
peevish, and passionate : who do not possess 
prudence, or judgment, we are not to despise 
them. No ! these persons demand our pity, 
which is to be shown in the mildness of our con- 
duct, and in being always ready to assist, and 
advise them. 

Those who unhappily are viciously disposed, 
are objects of real sympathy: for this reason, 
our compassion should be displayed towards 



278 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

them ; for notwithstanding they are sinners, 
they cease not to be our neighbors : they are our 
brethren in Jesus Christ. Not to pity, and pray 
for those who live in a state of sin, is to be want- 
ing in that compassionate disposition so essential 
to the character of a good Christian. The obliga- 
tion to discharge this duty has been eloquently 
illustrated in the parable of the good Samaritan ; 
and the Redeemer has pronounced judgment 
without mercy, upon those who have not shown 
mercy. The discharge of this sublime command 
is imperative upon all : the high, and the low : 
the rich, and the poor. Let us, by a tender com- 
passion for others, hope to obtain mercy from 
God for ourselves. 

PRAYER. 

Compassionate Redeemer of mankind ! Thou 
beholdest our necessities, and thou desirest to 
relieve them. The multitude had waited upon 
thee three days, and had nothing to eat: but 
thou wouldst not send them away fasting : by 
a miracle thou didst relieve their wants, and re- 
ward them for their devotion to thee. 

Have pity on me, dear Lord ! Nourish my soul 
with thy grace : that I may practise every virtue, 
that I may increase in the love of thee, my God : 
and that I may have a perfect compassion for my 
neighbor. 



SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 279 



SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 

Gospel. — Matt. vii. 15, 21. 

At that time : Jesus said to his disciples : Be- 
ware of false prophets, who come to you in the 
clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are raven- 
ing wolves. By their fruits you shall know 
them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs 
of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth 
forth good fruit, and the evil tree bringeth forth 
evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil 
fruit, neither can an evil tree bring forth good 
fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good 
fruit, shall be cut down, and shall be cast into the 
fire. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know 
them. Not every one that saith, Lord, Lord, 
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven : but he 
that doth the will of my Father who is is heaven, 
he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. 

INSTKUCTION. 

In the gospel for this day, Jesus Christ, the 
Shepherd of our souls, exhorts his disciples to 
beware of false prophets. Like the Pharisees 
of old, false teachers by a specious appearance, 



280 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

may assume a semblance of sanctity, may mis- 
lead simple, and unguarded souls, but their 
real intentions become obvious, when they en- 
deavor to withdraw the flock of Christ, from 
his fold, the Holy Catholic Church. All exter- 
nal exhibition of sanctity, rigorous austerity, and 
artificial zeal, if unaccompanied with sound 
doctrine, and implicit obedience to the spouse 
of Christ, must be totally disregarded. Those 
who resist the authority of the Church, how 
plausible soever their exterior may be, inwardly 
they are ravening wolves. 

By their fruits you shall know them, is 
the rule given by our Divine Master ; those who 
cause schisms, who refuse to submit to the law- 
ful authority, who display a spirit of contention 
and disobedience ; these are false prophets : these 
are to be avoided. 

Those holy men who have been called by the 
Almighty to promulgate his doctrine : to pro- 
claim peace on earth to men of good will: 
these respect the authority of the Church 
which is the Pillar and the Ground of truth : 
Whatever the Church approves, they inculcate : 
whatever the Church condemns, they reject. 
These are the prophets in whom we may be- 
lieve : these are they who are solicitous to pre- 
serve the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of 
peace. 



SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 281 

Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of 
thistles ? Even so, every good tree bringeth forth 
good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth 
good fruit, shall be cut down, and shall be cast 
into the fire. Our Redeemer admonishes us, 
not to omit the practical part of our duty. We 
are required, to bring forth good fruit, in a 
holy life, and blameless conversation : to reduce 
to practice the pure, and holy maxims of the 
gospel in which we believe. Always to rejoice : 
to pray without ceasing : in all things to give 
thanks : not to extinguish the Spirit : not to de- 
spise the prophecies : but to prove all things : to 
hold fast to that which is good : and refrain from 
all appearance of evil. But if our lives are 
wicked, if we obstinately transgress the com- 
mandments of God, if we disregard the injunc- 
tions of the Church, what will be our punish- 
ment ? Hear the judgment of omnipotent truth. 
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, 
shall be cut down, and shall be cast into the 
fire! Oh, my soul! let us no longer de- 
ceive ourselves : let us renounce those false 
prophets, who have hitherto seduced us from 
our Father's house ; let us return, and prostrate 
at his feet, promise him eternal fidelity : no long- 
er shall the devil, the world, or the flesh triumph 
over our ruin. Let us press towards the mark, 
to the prize of the vocation of God in Christ Je- 



282 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

sus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be 
thus minded : and if in any thing you be other- 
wise minded, this also God will reveal to you. 
Nevertheless whereunto we are come, that we be 
of the same mind, let us also continue in the 
same rule. 

From what our Redeemer has asserted, it is 
evident, that not every one who says Lord, Lord, 
will be saved. They only who bring forth good 
fruit, can expect to enter the kingdom of heaven : 
hence the outward profession of the Catholic 
faith, alone will not save us, for we are assured 
that Faith without good works is dead. Sin- 
ners, Heretics, and Schismatics, may exclaim 
Lord ! Lord ! but in vain : these may honor God 
with their lips, but their hearts are far from him. 
Our hopes of eternal life are grounded upon our 
obedience to the law of God. That we live 
soberly and justly, and godly, in this world. 
Soberly, by subduing our inordinate, and irregu- 
lar passions. Justly, by observing the strictest 
justice in all our dealings. Godly, by a religious 
discharge of all our duties according to the com- 
mands of God, and of his Church : and, that we 
contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to 
the saints. This is to do the will of God : by 
this, we may hope to enter into the kingdom of 
heaven. 



EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 283 



PRAYEK. 

O my God ! Thou hast been graciously pleased 
to call me to the knowledge of the true faith. 
Complete that which thou hast commenced : 
grant that I may live and die thy faithful serv- 
ant. As my faith is perfect, do not permit me 
to be deluded by a dangerous presumption, but 
assist me to strive by good works, to make my 
calling and election sure. 

O, Jesus, my Sovereign Lord ! may I ever love 
thee for thy goodness, and fear thee for thy judg- 
ments, that I may experience the felicity of thy 
mercy. O, Supreme Light ! which illuminates 
the world, dissipate all darkness in my soul, and 
become my inheritance for ever. Pierce, O Lord ! 
my flesh with hopeful fear. 



EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 

Gospel. — Luke xvi. 1, 9. 

At that time : Jesus spoke to his disciples this 
parable : There was a certain rich man who had 
a steward : and the same was accused unto him, 
that he had wasted his goods. And he called 
him, and said to him : How is it that I hear this 



284 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

of thee ? give an account of thy stewardship : for 
now thou canst be steward no longer. And the 
steward said within himself : What shall I do, 
because my lord taketh away from me the stew- 
ardship ? To dig I am not able ; to beg I am 
ashamed. I know what I will do, that when I 
shall be removed from the stewardship, they may 
receive me into their houses. Therefore, calling 
together every one of his Lord's debtors he said 
to the first : How much dost thou owe my lord ? 
But he said : An hundred barrels of oil. And he 
said to him : Take thy bill and sit down quickly, 
and write fifty ? Then he said to another : And 
how much dost thou owe ? Who said : An hun. 
dred quarters of wheat. He said to him take thy 
bill, and write eighty. And the lord commended 
the unjust steward, forasmuch as he had done 
wisely : for the children of this world are wiser 
in their generation, than the children of light. 
And I say to you : Make unto you friends of the 
mammon of iniquity, that when you shall fail, 
they may receive you into everlasting dwellings. 

INSTRUCTION. 

God has committed his goods to our care. We 
are his stewards: at a future day we shall be 
called upon to give an account of our steward- 
ship. Alas ! how great the number who have 
wasted their goods ! who have dissipated the treas- 



EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 285 

tires of nature, of fortune, and of divine grace. 
Let us consider these gifts. The talents which 
we have received from God to promote his glory, 
and communicate happiness to others. The tem- 
poral blessings we possess health, strength, and 
riches, to enable us to assist our neighbor, and re- 
lieve the poor. The felicity of being Christians, 
of belonging to the mystical body of Christ, the 
Holy Catholic Church : the inspiration of the 
Holy Ghost : the inestimable advantages we pos- 
sess in the holy sacraments : and the facilities we 
enjoy of serving the Almighty. 

These are the goods which God has consigned 
to our care. How have we disposed of them? 
Does our conscience accuse us of perverting our 
talents, our natural and acquired knowledge, to 
deride the august service of the Church ; to ridi- 
cule her established ceremonies ; to propagate, and 
defend schisms, and heresies: to despise those 
who may not have had the advantages of a liberal 
education : to impose upon the simple, and the 
weak, and to corrupt their morals. 

To destroy our health by criminal excesses : 
to consume our riches, in luxury, and extrava- 
gance : to refuse to succor our neighbor, and sup- 
ply the wants of the poor : to neglect the import- 
ant affair of our salvation : to be indifferent in the 
service of God : to despise his holy inspirations : 
to neglect the exercises of religion, prayer, hear- 



286 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

ing the word of God, and to refuse the gracious 
invitation of our loving Redeemer, who solicits 
us to approach him in the adorable sacrament of 
the altar; is truly, to dissipate, to waste, the 
goods which the Lord has given us. 

Give an account of thy stewardship ; for now 
thou canst be steward no longer, said the Lord in 
the gospel. To each of us will the Almighty ad- 
dress the same language : when death arrives we 
can be no longer stewards : we shall then be 
required to give an exact account of all our 
thoughts, words and actions. Astounding, awful, 
terrible requisition, for those who have been un- 
faithful stewards, who have wasted their master's 
goods ! Alas ! what account can they present, of 
that precious time which was given them to work 
out their salvation, but which they have appro- 
priated to vain, or sinful amusements : to the pur- 
suit of sordid wealth : to the indulgence of unlaw- 
ful pleasures : to the destruction of their immortal 
souls ! 

Let us, like prudent stewards, frequently ex- 
amine our spiritual accounts: let us, scrutinize 
our thoughts, words, and actions: let us, en- 
deavor to preserve an equitable balance between 
our Sovereign Lord as our creditor, and our- 
selves as his debtor : if hitherto, we have been 
criminally negligent, let us imitate the policy 
of the unjust steward. Our Redeemer does 



EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 287 

not commend him for the deceit he practised, 
but for the prudence he manifested : whence 
he infers, that the children of this world are 
wiser in their generation, than the children of 
light. Let us imitate those, who are most 
solicitous when their interests are at stake. To 
obtain eternal happiness is our deepest concern : 
let us, therefore make to ourselves friends of the 
mammon of iniquity : here, riches are designated 
the mammon of iniquity, not that they are in- 
trinsically evil, but because they are too fre- 
quently unjustly acquired : too often misapplied. 
By prudently disposing of our worldly wealth ; by 
assisting those who require our aid; by supply- 
ing the wants of the poor ; we may hope through 
the mercy of God, to be received into everlasting 
dwellings : and enter into the joy of thy Lord. 

PRAYER. 

O, thou sovereign Lord of heaven and earth ! 
whose stewards we are ; how good, how bounti- 
ful hast thou been to me ! How manifold the 
graces and blessings thou has bestowed upon me! 
All I have is from thee, from whom descends 
every good and perfect gift. Grant me thy as- 
sistance to dispose of thy goods, to thy honor, 
and glory: to promote the happiness of my neigh- 
bor : and secure the salvation of my own soul. 



288 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 

Gospel— Luke xix. 41, 47. 

At that time : When he drew near, seeing the 
city, he wept over it, saying : If thou also hadst 
known, and that in this thy day, the things that 
are to thy peace : but now they are hidden from 
thy eyes. For the days shall come upon thee : 
and thy enemies shall cast a trench about thee, 
and compass thee round, and straiten thee on 
every side, and beat thee flat to the ground, and 
thy children who are in thee: and they shall 
not leave in thee a stone upon a stone : because 
thou hast not known the time of thy visitation. 
And entering into the temple, he began to cast 
out them that sold therein, and them that bought. 
Saying to them : It is written : My house is 
the house of prayer ; but you have made it a den 
of thieves, and he was teaching daily in the 
temple. 

INSTRUCTION. 

Jesus wept over the city ! O my soul ! behold 
thy compassionate Redeemer, lamenting even 
unto tears, the destruction of Jerusalem ; the ob- 
stinacy of the Jews, and the dispersion of that 
unhappy people. In this gospel, he represents to 



NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 289 

us, the deplorable consequences resulting from 
sin, the desolation of Jerusalem being figurative 
of the ruinous effects of violating the law of 
God. 

In the obstinacy of the Jews, we behold the 
sign of final impenitence, and in their dispersion, 
the reprobation of the enemies of the Almighty. 

There are two circumstances connected with 
the destruction of Jerusalem, which demand our 
particular attention. The calamity having been 
foretold by Christ ; and the literal accomplish- 
ment of his prophecy. If, we consider Jerusalem 
at that period, rich and powerful, the capital of 
that kingdom which God himself had established 
in the House of David : if we hear the voice of 
an Evangelist proclaiming, that as Christ drew 
near to Jerusalem he wept over it: and if we 
hear from the lips of truth itself that, The days 
shall come upon thee and thy enemies shall cast 
a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and 
straiten thee on every side, and beat thee flat to 
the ground, and thy children who are in thee : 
and they shall not leave in thee a stone upon a 
stone ; because thou hast not known the time of 
thy visitation, shall we not tremble, at this 
awful manifestation of the rigor of divine justice! 
The Romans were the instruments selected by 
the Almighty, to avenge his insulted majesty. 
Jerusalem was laid waste. The Temple was con- 

*9 



290 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

sumed by fire. The inhabitants, once the chosen 
people of God, were carried into slavery ! 

Thus was the destruction of Jerusalem accom- 
plished : thus was fulfilled the prediction of our 
Redeemer. Let us consider this awful catas- 
trophe, as a figure of a more terrible calamity 
which will fall upon sinners. The sufferings of 
the Jews were temporal, comprising the loss 
of their city, their possessions and their liberty : 
whilst that of sinners will be eternal, involving 
their immortal souls in everlasting misery. The 
cause of these judicial inflictions upon the Jews, 
is stated by our Redeemer. Because thou hast 
not known the time of thy visitation. God had 
chosen them for his own people. He had given 
them a law by the ministry of angels. He had 
promised them a Redeemer in the person of his 
beloved Son, who took upon himself human nature, 
who was born amongst them after the fulfilment 
of all the prophecies which had announced the 
circumstances of his birth; but, they despised 
Jesus Christ: they rejected his doctrine: they 
blasphemed his miracles : and they condemned 
him to the ignominous death of the cross. 

Unhappy children of Juda ! Because thou hast 
not known the time of thy visitation, thy enemies 
shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee 
round, and straiten thee on every side. Truly, 
the vengeance of God fell grievously upon them I 



NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 291 

They did not know the time of their visitation ; 
because they would not; they atrociously con- 
temned his mercy : they were callous to his 
entreaties: they fell victims to his inexorable 
justice ! 

If the Jews were the peculiar favorites of God, 
if he granted them many special favors, he has, 
Christians, given us a more perfect, a more noble 
law. 

To enable us to keep his commandments he 
grants us his grace, through prayer and the 
sacraments : his inspirations, whereby he speaks 
to our hearts : his ministers by whom he exhorts 
us to repentance: his mercy, in the pardon of 
our sins. 

But, alas ! how many are there who, like the 
perverse Jews, will neither receive his favors, 
nor regard his merciful invitations ! Why, O 
Lord ? Because they have not known the time 
of their visitation ! They obstinately live in the 
violation of his holy law : they walk in the broad 
way that leadeth to destruction : they persevere 
in sinful pursuits until inevitable ruin overtakes 
them : perhaps, when they least expect it, when 
too late to lament for their sins ; and thus having 
imitated the Jewish people in their crimes, what 
can they expect, but to participate in their pun- 
ishment ? 

Christians, we have the power to avoid this ter- 



292 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

rible calamity. The Almighty himself in his 
Holy Law, directs us to cease to be sinners ; to 
repent of our past crimes ; and for the future, to 
avoid every occasion of sin. Although the ma- 
lice of sin, may be said to be infinite : although 
the sinner, and sin, are hateful to God ! neverthe- 
less, He is a most tender Father : we are his chil- 
dren. He has loved us from all eternity: he 
will receive us into his bosom, if animated with 
sentiments of true contrition, and firm purpose 
of amendment ; he will seal our pardon with the 
kiss of peace. 

The holy Precursor of the Redeemer, exhorts 
us to fly from the wrath to come : to bring forth 
worthy fruits of penance. If hitherto we have 
unhappily lived in sin, let us begin to redeem the 
time, that has been lost: let us consider every 
moment given us, as a monument of the mercy 
of God. Now, this instant, whilst the Almighty 
spares us, let us endeavor to work out our salva- 
tion in fear and trembling : let us avert the im- 
pending danger : let us avoid the wrath to come : 
let us bring forth worthy fruits of penance : let 
us strive by good works to make our calling and 
election sure. 

PRAYER. 

Compassionate Redeemer of mankind ! Thou 
didst weep over unhappy Jerusalem ! Thy pre- 



NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 293 

cious tears flowed on beholding with omniscient 
vision the calamities which thy chosen people 
were to endure ! Thou hast the same compassion 
for all sinners. In thy bitter passion, thou didst 
shed tears of blood to efface our crimes. Oh ! 
that our hearts could dissolve in tears of com- 
punction for our manifold transgressions against 
thy Holy Law. Oh ! exclaims the Royal Prophet, 
who will give water to my head, and a fountain 
of tears to my eyes, that day and night, I may be- 
wail my innumerable offences against my God, 
who is so patient, so good, and so merciful, who 
each day solicits our return to our Father's 
House, who awaits to adorn us with his heavenly 
graces ; to receive us into the mansions of eternal 
bliss. 

Whence is this, that thou, O, my God ! should 
bear with my repeated offences? yet thou art 
pleased to spare me, and even condescend to ad- 
monish me. Oh ! loving Redeemer, let not thy 
goodness prove unproductive. Thy glorious 
servant, St. Augustine, has declared : that though 
God had created us without our concurrence, he 
will not save us without our co-operation. Grant 
to us thy grace to concur in all thy merciful de- 
signs, that we may spare nothing to save our souls : 
enable us to appropriate this acceptable time to 
work out our salvation in fear and trembling. 



294: SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 

Gcspel. — Luke xviii. 9-14. 

At that time : Jesus spake this parable to some 
who trusted in themselves as just, and despised 
others. Two men went up into the temple to 
pray ; the one a Pharisee, and the other a pub- 
lican. The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with 
himself : O God, I give thee thanks that I am not 
as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulter- 
ers, as also is this publican. I fast twice in the 
week: I give tithes of all that I possess. And 
the publican standing afar off would not so much 
as lift up his eyes towards heaven : but struck 
his breast, saying : O God, be merciful to me a 
sinner. I say to you, this man went down to 
his house justified rather than the other, because 
every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled ; 
and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted. 

INSTRUCTION. 

In the gospel of this day, Christians are in- 
structed upon one of the most important points 
of practical virtue. Two men went up to the 
temple to pray : the one a Pharisee, the other a 
publican. 



TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 295 

The Pharisee inflated with pride appears be- 
fore God, and thanks him that he is not as the 
rest of men, nor as this publican. To the vice of 
inordinate self esteem, he added the public cen- 
sure of his neighbor ; and left the temple with 
greater sin on his soul. 

The publican on the contrary went up im- 
pressed with a deep sense of his unworthiness 
standing afar off he would not so much as lift 
up his eyes to heaven ; but struck his breast, 
saying, O God! be merciful to me a sinner. 
Having concluded his prayer, this man went 
down into his house justified rather than the 
other : for every one that exalteth himself shall 
be humbled ; and he that humbleth himself shall 
be exalted. 

Humility is a virtue inculcated by our Re- 
deemer, to his disciples. It consists, in possessing 
a modest diffidence of ourselves : a tender regard 
for our neighbor : and a desire to seek the glory 
of God, as the supreme source of every good. 
Hence, the humble Christian acknowledges, that 
whatever natural, or acquired talents he may pos- 
sess, they are not of himself, but of God. He ad- 
mits his spiritual weakness : the corruption of his 
nature : the violence of his passions : the darkness 
of his understanding : the depravity of his will : 
and the frequent failings to which he is exposed. 
He beholds in himself nothing but weakness, and 



296 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

misery The humble disciple of Christ, neither 
seeks, nor desires the applause of others : he is 
not excited when commended, nor dejected when 
refused the approbation he really deserves. In- 
fluenced by this happy Christian disposition, he 
preserves an equanimity of temper in his trials, 
and exhibits nothing haughty or mean in his con- 
duct through life. 

This virtue will incline us to behold with affa- 
bility, and courtesy, those who are our inferiors : 
if truly humble, we shall choose rather to triumph 
by yielding, in matters whose justice and truth do 
not oblige us to maintain their vindication. 

At a period when vice and immorality abound 
we may perceive too many, alas ! whose deport- 
ment is such, that with reason we may give 
God thanks, that we are not like them : never- 
theless, we must not imitate the presumptuous 
Pharisee : we must not attribute this good to our- 
selves : but, to the grace and mercy of God. If 
we are not adulterers, extortioners, and unjust, 
let us exclaim with gratitude in the words of the 
Royal Psalmist : Not unto us, O Lord ! not unto 
us, but to thy name be all the glory given. Let 
us acknowledge, that we have nothing of our own : 
hence, St. Paul says, What hast thou that thou 
hast not received ? and if thou hast received, why 
dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received ? If 
we will glory, let it be in the Lord. Humility is 



TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 297 

the characteristic of the genuine disciples of Jesus. 
He says to each of us, Learn of me, for I am meek 
and humble of heart. Henceforward let us give 
all the glory to God, to whom alone it is due, and 
say with St. Paul, If I must glory I will glory 
in my infirmities. 

PRAYER. 

0, my God ! preserve me from pride. Suffer 
me not to deprive thee of the honor which is due 
to thee alone. Permit me not to attribute that to 
myself, which is the gratuitous effect of thy boun- 
ty. Of what can I be proud ! for, Behold, O Lord ! 
I was conceived in iniquity, and in sin did my 
mother conceive me ! I who am unable to form a 
good thought without thy assistance, shall I in- 
dulge in vanity : and prefer myself before others ? 
O, my God ! let me tremble at the thought of giv- 
ing so great an offence to thee, the author of all 
good, to whom alone all glory is due. 

I have nothing which I have not received from 
thee, O Lord ! To thy goodness I am indebted for 
all I have : to thee, do I return all these again. 
Every suggestion of the devil, the arch-enemy of 
my soul, every inclination to pride, or self love, I 
now, and forever reject, and detest. Oh, dear 
Lord ! assist me with thy grace, that I may faith- 
fully adhere to my resolution. Oh, thou! who 
rejectest the proud, and givest thy grace to the 



298 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

humble, grant me a perfect humility, whereby I 
may think lowly of myself, and charitably of 
others. Take, from me, O Lord! the spirit of 
pride, and give me the treasure of thy humility. 



ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 

Gospel. — Mark vii. 31-37. 

At that time : Jesus going out of the coast of 
Tyre, he came by Sidon to the sea of Galilee 
through the midst of the coast of Decapolis. And 
they bring to him one deaf and dumb : and they 
besought him that he would lay his hand upon 
him. And taking him from the multitude apart, 
he put his fingers into his ears, and spitting, he 
touched his tongue ; and looking up to heaven, he 
groaned and said to him : Ephpheta, which is, Be 
thou opened. And immediately his ears were 
opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, 
and he spoke right. And he charged them that 
they should tell no man. But the more he charged 
them, so much the more a great deal did they 
publish it. And so much the more did they 
wonder, saying : He hath done all things well ; 
he hath made both the deaf to hear and the dumb 
to speak. 



ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 299 



INSTRUCTION. 

He hath done all things well ! Thus exclaimed 
the admiring multitude, on beholding the miracle 
wrought by our Divine Redeemer on the deaf and 
dumb man. And looking up to heaven, he sighed, 
and said to him, Ephpheta, which is, Be thou 
opened ! 

The miserable state of this man excited the 
commiseration of the tender Jesus. To all who 
are afflicted, he offers his assistance, for those 
who are spiritually deaf, and dumb: for those 
who do not know the things that are for their 
peace : for those who will not hearken to the 
pastors whom Christ has delegated to assist 
them : for these he looks up to heaven, and 
sighs ! 

The Royal Psalmist, speaking of the heathen 
idols says : They have ears, and hear not : mouths, 
but speak not. In a spiritual sense, the same is 
applicable to those sinners, who notwithstanding 
the repeated admonitions of the Church to for- 
sake their evil ways, yet persevere in sin. These 
the Holy Ghost, declares to be deaf and dumb 
dogs : for though they appear to be in the full 
possession of their senses, by a manifest mis- 
application of their gifts, they render them worse 
than useless. 



300 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

The peculiar advantage of hearing, was given 
us, to hear and understand what is said : but, it 
is immaterial whether we can or cannot hear, if 
we disregard that which is addressed to us. To 
be so deaf as not to hear, is truly a great affliction : 
but, those who obstinately contemn the voice of 
truth, are guilty of a voluntary crime, and their 
offence becomes the more heinous, when the per- 
sons by whom they are addressed may with jus- 
tice command their attention, and reverential re- 
gard. He that heareth you, heareth me : and he 
that despiseth you, despiseth me. And he that 
despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me. 

What has been adduced in relation to those 
who are spiritually deaf, may with perfect pro- 
priety be applied to those, who have lost the 
faculty of speech. To be dumb is generally con- 
sidered a natural consequence of being deaf : so 
when sinners have become spiritually deaf, they 
become spiritually dumb. 

The privilege of speech is given us by the Al- 
mighty, that thereby, we may glorify him, pro- 
mote our own happiness and that of our neighbor. 
When we deviate from these objects, we may be 
said to be spiritually dumb. When we consider 
the manifold, and horrible abuses of the tongue, 
such as cursing, swearing, blaspheming, calumny, 
lying, detraction, immodest conversation, etc. it is 
most evident, that those who thus employ their 



ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 301 

tongues, are in a more wretched condition than 
the dumb man spoken of in the gospel. Another 
evidence of spiritual incapacity of speech, is the 
omission of prayer and the practice of devotion, 
and the neglect of the duties of our holy religion ! 
In this respect how many are spiritually dumb ? 
Though they can speak with eloquence, in relation 
to the things of the world : of God, of his honor, 
of his commandments, of the precepts of the 
Church, they know not how ! that is, they will 
not speak : thus it is, that many, alas ! are spirit- 
ually deaf and dumb. These must have recourse 
to Jesus. By sincere sorrow they must seek to 
obtain the pardon of their sins: their sorrow 
must be accompanied with unalterable resolutions 
of amendment : they must apply to the ministers 
of God, in the sacrament of penance : it is there, 
that Jesus Christ will put his finger into their 
ears : it is there he will touch their tongues : it is 
there, he will utter those omnipotent words, 
Ephpheta, Be thou opened. 

PRAYER. 

How miserable, O God ! is the condition of 
those who will not hear thy voice : who will not 
praise and extol thy power. Thou who didst 
make the deaf hear, and the dumb speak, show 
thy goodness to all who labor under spiritual in- 
firmities : open their ears that they may under- 



302 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

stand: unbind their tongues, that they may 
glorify thee — and, whilst I supplicate thee, O 
Lord ! in behalf of others, do not forget thy poor 
servant. Alas ! I have been too often deaf to 
thy gracious invitations : for the future, give me 
understanding, and instruct me in the way where- 
in I may walk. 

Alas ! I have been silent in relation to thee, 
O, bountiful Author of all things ! how ungrate- 
ful, — how forgetful have I been ! O ! unloose 
my tongue, that I may declare thy praise, — that 
I may sing the mercies of my God. I glorify 
thee, O merciful Redeemer ! for thy unbounded 
goodness to me, and all mankind. — Bless the 
Lord, O my soul, — and all that is within me, 
praise his holy name. O ! Lord, thou hast done 
all things well : thou hast made the deaf to hear, 
and the dumb to speak. 



TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 

Gospel. — Luke x. 23-37. 

At that time : Jesus said to his disciples : 
Blessed are the eyes that see the things which 
you see. For I say to you, that many prophets 
and kings have desired to see the things that 
you see, and have not seen them ; and to hear the 
things that you hear, and have not heard them. 



TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 303 

And behold a certain lawyer stood up, tempting 
him : and saying : Master, what must I do to 
possess eternal life ? But he said to him : What 
is written in the law? how readest thou? He 
answering said : Thou shalt love the Lord thy 
God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole 
soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy 
mind : and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said 
to him : Thou hast answered right : this do and 
and thou shalt live. But he willing to justify 
himself, said to Jesus : and who is my neighbor ? 
And Jesus answering, said : A certain man went 
down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among 
robbers, who also stripped him, and having 
wounded him went away leaving him half dead. 
And it chanced that a certain priest went down 
the same way : and seeing him, passed by. In 
like manner also a Levite, when he was near the 
place, and saw him, passed by. But a certain 
Samaritan being on his journey, came near him ; 
and seeing him, was moved with compassion. 
And going up to him, bound up his wounds, 
pouring in oil and wine : and setting him upon his 
own beast brought him to an inn, and took care 
of him. And the next day he took out two pence, 
and gave to the host, and said : Take care of 
him ; and whatsoever thou shalt spend over and 
above, I at my return will repay thee. Which of 
these three in thy opinion was neighbor to him 



30i SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

that fell among the robbers ? But he said: He 
that showed mercy to him. And Jesus said to 
him : Go, and do thou in like manner. 

INSTRUCTION. 

Would to God, that Christians would fre- 
quently, and seriously ask our Divine Redeemer, 
Master, what must I do to possess eternal life? 
The important question proposed by the lawyer, 
to Jesus Christ, is applicable to every one who 
desires to attain the kingdom of heaven. What 
is written in the law? How readest thou? 
said the Savior of mankind. Thou shalt love 
the Lord thy God, with thy whole heart, and 
with thy whole soul, with all thy strength, and 
with all thy mind, and thy neighbor as thyself. 
This do, and thou shalt live. In this short sum- 
mary, is presented to us, — our obligations to God, 
and to our neighbor : upon these two command- 
ments, depend the whole Law, and the Pro- 
phets. Hence, unless we sincerely love God and 
our neighbor, in vain we may hope to obtain 
eternal life. To love God, is the first, the great- 
est commandment. To love our neighbor as our- 
selves, is the second indispensable obligation pre- 
scribed by the gospel for our instruction. 

We must prove our love for God, by giving 
him the first place in our hearts — he alone, is to 
be loved above every object : all other things are 



TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 305 

to be loved in and for him. To love God sin- 
cerely, we must renounce all affection to sin : 
inasmuch as sin is an infinite offence committed 
against his Divine Majesty, we cannot truly say 
we love him, whilst we obstinately transgress his 
law. Obedience to the commandments, is the 
most certain proof of our love for the supreme 
Lawgiver. Another incontestable evidence that 
we love him, is apparent, when we employ our- 
selves in those things that are agreeable to him. 
How can those Christians to whom prayer is 
irksome, — to whom the duties of religion are 
fatiguing, persuade themselves that they love God. 
That there are too many of this description, is 
evident, from the neglect of practising the duty 
of prayer, and the absence of the necessary dis- 
position, worthily to approach the sacraments. 

If to love God with all our hearts, necessarily 
includes a desire to be with him, so it produces a 
perfect confidence in him, and an entire resigna- 
tion to his holy will in the dispensations of his 
providence. When we are so happy as to have 
proof of these dispositions, we may truly declare, 
we love God with all our hearts ! But, it shows 
a weak, an imperfect love, when we are impa- 
tient, or repine under the crosses which befall us, 
and which are inseparable from the nature of 
man. Whatever happens is by the permission o! 

God, and designed for our greater good. The do- 
20 



306 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

pravity of our nature is so great, that we are in 
imminent danger of being seduced by the allure- 
ments of the world: hence, God is pleased to 
send us afflictions, to withdraw our hearts from 
created objects, and to place them upon him, 
who is the way, the truth and the life. If we 
love God sincerely, we will earnestly desire to 
be dissolved, and be with Christ. The world 
and its deceitful pleasures will no longer charm 
us : death, instead of being dreadful, will be de- 
sirable : and we will incessantly sigh after that 
heaven where we can be perfectly happy in the 
enjoyment of God. 

To the love of God must be joined the love of 
our neighbor, which our Redeemer assures us is 
the second great commandment. So inseparable 
is this duty from the law of God, that unless we 
sincerely love our neighbor, we are hypocrites 
and painted sepulchres. He that loveth not 
his brother whom he seeth, how can he love God 
whom he seeth not ? To love our neighbor, is 
a proof that the charity of God dwells in us. 
We are required to love our neighbor as our- 
selves. Our self-love is sufficiently evident ; we 
love ourselves not only sincerely, but perhaps, 
too much. Thus we must love our neighbor : we 
must assist him as far as in our power : we must 
not injure him in his person, property or charac- 
ter — and as we hope to obtain forgiveness, so 



THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 307 

must we, from our hearts, forgive the injuries 
done unto us. By this shall men know, that ye 
are my disciples, if ye have love for one another. 

PRAYER. 

Inexhaustible Fountain of Divine Charity! 
fill my heart with a sincere love of thee. I love 
thee, because thou art infinitely good, and perfect, 
and most worthy of all my love : for the love of 
thee, I renounce the suggestions of the devil, the 
world, and the flesh, and desire to love thee 
above all things. 

Thou has commanded me, O Lord ! to love my 
neighbor as myself. I give thee thanks for this 
sweet commandment of thy love : in my neighbor, 
I behold thy image, and likeness : thy bounty 
and thy goodness. O! give me thy grace, that 
I may love him as myself. 



THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PEN- 
TECOST. 

Gospel. — Luke xvii. 11, 19. 

At that time : As Jesus was going to Jerusa- 
lem, he passed through the midst of Samaria and 
Galilee. And as he entered into a certain town, 
there met him ten men who were lepers, who 



308 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

stood afar off ; and lifted up their voice, saying : 
Jesus, master, have mercy on us. Whom, when 
he saw, said : Go, show yourselves to the priests. 
And it came to pass, that as they went, they 
were made clean. And one of them when he saw 
he was made clean went back, with a loud voice 
glorifying God. And he fell on his face before 
his feet, giving thanks : and this was a Samar- 
itan. And Jesus answering said : Were not ten 
made clean, and where are the nine ? There is 
no one found to return and give glory to God, 
but this stranger. And he said to him : Arise, 
go thy way ; for thy faith hath made thee whole. 

INSTRUCTION. 

To be grateful for favors received, is agreeable 
to reason and religion. Ingratitude, though uni- 
versally condemned, is yet too common amongst 
men. When we require assistance we solicit aid 
from those who can relieve us : but, how few are 
willing to evince their gratitude, or acknowledge 
the kindness conferred upon them ! It were de- 
voutly to be desired that unthankfulness was 
confined to our intercourse with the world, but 
unhappily, it is shown even to the Almighty 
himself. 

How nearly do the main body of Christians 
imitate the nine lepers mentioned in the gospel ! 
are they not extremely deficient in the discharge 



THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 309 

of an important duty ? namely, a grateful sense 
of the manifold benefits they have received from 
God, and a virtuous application of his favors and 
mercy. 

As the kindness, and clemency of God is un- 
limited, our gratitude, and love should be un- 
bounded. Let us consider the general and particu- 
lar favors, the Almighty has conferred upon every 
individual. The general favors may be divided 
into corporal, and spiritual. Corporal blessings 
comprise our creation, our preservation, our 
health, and subsistence. Those of a spiritual 
character, are, our redemption, our being mem- 
bers of the true Church, our sanctification, the 
knowledge of our duty, the exercise of prayer, 
and a participation in the sacraments. Here is 
demonstrated, in a conspicuous manner, the 
bounty, the goodness of God ! Oh ! how much 
gratitude do we not owe him. If to these general 
favors, which we have received in common with 
all Christians, we add those particular blessings, 
that have been conferred upon us, we easily per- 
ceive that there is a special providence, which 
continually presides over us, to protect us from 
danger, and conduct us to happiness. When 
dangerously ill, have we not cried out with the 
lepers, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us ! When 
in imminent danger : when oppressed with trou- 
ble: when cast down by misfortunes: when friends 



310 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

have been supplicated but without effect: has 
not the kind hand of God interposed, has he not 
raised some unexpected agency to pour balm into 
our afflicted hearts ! 

These blessings demand our most grateful ac- 
knowledgment : to withhold it, would be a proof, 
that we are not only unworthy, but insensible of 
the benefits we have received : with the Samari- 
tan leper, let us loudly praise, and give glory to 
God: let us acknowledge, that it is from his 
bountiful hand, we have received every grace and 
blessing ; let us give him the full expression of 
our gratitude : let us prove our sincerity, by a 
zealous co-operation with the Almighty, in the 
stupendous mysteries of our creation, redemption, 
sanctification, and preservation : let us love, and 
serve him faithfully here, that we may rejoice 
with him eternally hereafter. Although our 
health, strength, learning, and abilities, are all de- 
rived from God, yet, alas! how many pervert 
them to the most corrupt purposes ? It is true, 
many when afflicted with disease, call upon God : 
beseech him to restore them to health, and make 
many protestations of faithful attachment: but 
when the Almighty hears their prayers, and 
grants their petitions, their good purposes vanish : 
like the dog, they return to their vomit : like the 
nine ungrateful lepers, they return not, to give 
glory to God. 



THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 3H 

Let us tremble, lest we excite the indignation of 
God, against us, for the ingratitude we have mani- 
fested: for the unspeakable mercies we have 
abused: let us henceforth resolve to serve him 
with fidelity and perseverance to the end. 

PRAYER. 

Bless thou the Lord, O, my soul ! and all that 
is within me praise his holy name. It is just, 
and meet, that I should praise, and glorify thy 
name, O Lord ! for the innumerable favors I have 
received from thee, O, munificent God! Alas! 
my soul, how ungrateful have I been to God : 
how forgetful of my duty ! I am covered with 
confusion, when I consider my ingratitude — par- 
don me, dear Lord ! may I have a perfect con- 
sciousness of the obedience and love I owe thee : 
may every moment of my life be dedicated to 
thee : may my soul incessantly breathe forth the 
most affectionate sentiments of love : may my 
tongue continually proclaim thy goodness : and, 
may my mind be ever occupied in meditating 
upon thy mercies. O ! that I could praise thee 
with the wisdom of the Cherubim : the love of 
the Seraphim : the ardor of the Angels : even 
with the gratitude of the Samaritan leper, — that 
I could with a loud voice, glorify God. 



312 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 



FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTE- 
COST. 

Gospel.— Matt. vi. 24, 33. 

At that time : Jesus said to his disciples : No 
man can serve two masters. For either he will 
hate the one, and love the other : or he will sus- 
tain the one, and despise the other. You cannot 
serve God and mammon. Therefore I say to you, 
be not solicitous for your life, what you shall eat, 
nor for your body, what you shall put on. Is 
not the life more than the meat, and the body 
more than the raiment ? Behold the birds of the 
air, for they neither sow, nor do they reap, nor 
gather into barns, and your heavenly Father 
feedeth them. Are not you of much more value 
than they? And which of you, by taking 
thought, can add to his stature one cubit ? And 
for raiment why are you solicitous? Consider 
the lilies of the field how they grow : they labor 
not, neither do they spin. But I say to you, that 
not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as 
one of these. And if the grass of the field, which 
is to-day and to-morrow is cast into the oven, 
God doth so clothe : how much more you, O ye 
of little faith ? Be not solicitous therefore, say- 
ing, what shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or 



FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 313 

wherewith shall we be clothed? For after all 
these things do the heathens seek. For your 
Father knoweth that you have need of all these 
things. Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of 
God, and his justice and all these things shall be 
added unto you. 

INSTRUCTION. 

Truth itself has assured us that we cannot 
serve two masters. Nevertheless, there are 
persons who think otherwise : who discover no 
difficulty in what our Redeemer declares to be 
impossible : who endeavor to assimilate the vi- 
cious maxims of the world, with the sublime 
truths of the gospel. We have been created to 
love, and serve God : he is a jealous God, and 
will not permit the homage due to him alone 
to be divided with another : corrupt nature sug- 
gests many artifices to unite with the love of 
God an attachment to the world. Such an at- 
tempt is not only futile, but impious : whoever 
undertakes it is immediately abandoned by the 
Almighty ; for he occupies no portion of a di- 
vided heart. No man can serve two masters. 
Wherefore, as we are obliged to obey, can we 
for a moment hesitate to make choice of God 
for our master, since to serve him ensures perfect 
freedom, glorious liberty — to live, as rational be- 
ings : to fulfil the object of our creation : to serve 



314 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

God faithfully here, and be happy with him for- 
ever hereafter. Thus does the Almighty speak 
to us by his Prophet, I will show thee, O, 
Man ! what is good, and what the Lord requir- 
eth of thee : verily to do judgment, and to love 
mercy, and to walk carefully with thy God. 
Behold, an epitome of Christian duty : of all that 
God requires of us : of our obligations to God, 
our neighbor, and ourselves: we are to love, 
honor, and obey God, in and above all things. 
What more just, than that the creature should 
esteem, reverence, and submit to the authority of 
his Creator? let us therefore endeavor to walk 
carefully with our God. 

As we have a mutual dependence upon each 
other, how conformable to reason, that we should 
live soberly, justly, and piously : that we should 
control our passions : that we should cultivate 
the virtues of humility, patience, resignation, 
purity, and piety : and studiously avoid the op- 
posite vices. The service we render to God in 
the practice of these virtues, is evident, and can 
only be contested by a corrupted judgment; a 
vitiated will ; or a depraved heart : let us endeavor 
to walk carefully with our God, and love to 
show mercy one to another ; that we may avoid 
the punishment reserved for the wicked, and 
possess the happiness prepared for the faithful 
servants of God, in the kingdom of heaven. 



FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 315 

The servitude of the world is a bitter slavery. 
Nevertheless, to adopt its maxims : to comply 
with established custom: to yield obedience to 
the voice of fashion : appears to be the supreme 
object with many. But, what are the substan- 
tial benefits the world offers for our acceptance ? 

Riches, honors, and pleasures. How much 
labor and anxiety, and perhaps, how many un- 
just devices are required, to obtain a portion of 
the mammon of iniquity, and when acquired, 
what solicitude to increase and preserve it? 

To possess the honors of this world, and 
gratify our ambition, through how many syco- 
phantic humiliations, and servile adulations, 
must we pass ! When the object is attained, the 
punctilious ceremonies appended thereto, de- 
prive us of that freedom in which consists the prin- 
cipal happiness of life. 

Those in the pursuit of pleasure devote their 
time, their health, their riches and the talents 
given them for a more dignified purpose to the 
gratification of their criminal passions, and too 
often, alas ! to the destruction of others. 

Truly, the world governs a great portion of 
mankind with despotic sway! It commands our 
time, and labor : it will not permit us to think 
of God, or the salvation of our souls ; lest, we 
should break our chains, and escape from servi- 
tude: it inculcates the principles of hatred, 



316 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

malice, revenge, and contention, and daily sup- 
plies fuel to these unholy fires. Christians! 
what is there desirable in so inglorious a slave- 
ry ? can we continue to embrace our chains ? to 
prefer the service of the world, to that of Al- 
mighty God, who has declared, that his yoke 
is easy, his burden light : and, that by follow- 
ing him, we should enjoy the glorious liberty 
of the children of God. Let us, therefore, re- 
solve to cast all our care upon him, that we may 
be enabled to serve him with all our hearts, with all 
our minds, and with all our strength : and, before 
all things, to seek first the kingdom of God, and 
his justice, that all these things might be added 
unto us. 

PRAYER. 

Adieu vain world ! no longer you have domin- 
ion over me. I forever renounce your slavery. 
To thee, O God of my heart ! I dedicate myself. 
Thou only, hast a right to my service. I wish to 
be entirely thine. Thou, who art the truth, hast 
assured me, that no man can serve two masters. 

O God ! thou has created me for thyself, and 
the enjoyment of thee, in the kingdom of heaven. 
Thou, hast called me to thy holy service, that I 
might serve thee in perfect freedom. To serve 
thee, is a greater dignity, than to reign ! assist 
me with thy grace, that I may persevere in 



FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 317 

thy service to the last moment of my life : con- 
firm me, O, my God! in this good purpose; 
enable me to begin to love and serve thee ; for all 
I have hitherto done is nothing. 



FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER 
PENTECOST. 

Gospel. — Luke vii. 11-16. 

At that time : Jesus went into a city called 
Nairn : and there went with him his disciples, and 
a great multitude. And when he came nigh to 
the city, behold a dead man was carried out, the 
only son of his mother ; and she was a widow : 
and a great multitude of the city was with her. 
Whom when the Lord had seen, being moved 
with mercy towards her, said to her : Weep not. 
And he came near and touched the bier. And 
they that carried it, stood still. And he said : 
Young man, I say to thee, Arise. And he that 
was dead, sat up, and began to speak. And he 
gave him to his mother. And there came a fear 
on them all : and they glorified God, saying : A 
great prophet is risen up amongst us, and God 
hath visited his people. 



318 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

INSTRUCTION. 

To read that portion of the sacred writings al- 
lotted for this day, must excite our commisera- 
tion, and move us to sympathize in the grief of a 
desolate widow for the death of her only son : 
but, the objects the Church has in view, in pro- 
posing it for our consideration are more extensive. 
Let us adopt her sentiments : let us examine these 
important truths : let us endeavor to reduce them 
to practice, that we may with a holy fear glorify 
God. And it came to pass afterwards, that he 
went into a city called Nairn, and there went with 
him his disciples, and a great multitude, and 
when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold 
a dead man was carried out, the only son of his 
mother, and she was a widow : and a great multi- 
tude of the city was with her, whom when the 
Lord had seen, being moved with compassion for 
her ; he said to her, Weep not ! 

The compassionate Jesus addressing the afflicted 
parent : says, Weep not ! dry these tears : your 
sorrow shall be turned into joy : the gospel adds, 
And he gave him to his mother ! The multi- 
tude that witnessed this miracle of omnipotence, 
and of mercy, in transports of admiration ex- 
claimed, A great prophet is risen among us, and 
God hath visited his people. 

Here, the Church presents for our serious con- 



FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 319 

sideration two most important truths, viz. the cer- 
tainty of death ; and the uncertainty of the time 
when it will visit us. Behold, a young man taken 
in the bloom of youth, the growing hope of a ten- 
der, a widowed mother : her anticipations of 
future happiness frustrated : behold him a lifeless 
corpse: in him, let us contemplate ourselves: 
what he was, we shall also be. 

We have daily evidence that it is appointed 
for all men once to die : it is not in the power of 
man to alter this decree : it includes all the child- 
ren of Adam : although libertines, heretics, and 
infidels, may sneer with insolent ridicule, re- 
nounce the faith of their forefathers and despise 
the sacred commandments of God, and of his 
Church ; yet these, even these must admit this 
important truth, that it is appointed for all men 
once to die. The hour will arrive, when we 
must bid adieu to this world : when our bodies 
will be laid in the grave and become the food of 
worms : when our souls will receive the rewards 
promised to the just; or, the punishments re- 
served for the wicked. 

O, Great God ! is it possible that men should 
neglect to meditate upon death ! that they should 
live, and sin, as if they were never to leave this 
world: that pride, anger, detraction, impurity, 
with every other vice, should be the daily practice 
of their lives. Some men may for some time 



320 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

possess the passing good things of this life : they 
may attract the admiration of the thoughtless : 
but when surprised by the hand of death, they 
fall into their original nothingness : for dust we 
are, and into dust we must return ! By death, 
the Almighty will terminate the miseries of the 
poor. Death knows no distinction between the 
high and the low : the rich and the poor : the 
happy or the miserable : all are amenable to its 
power : all nature must admit the universal law, 
that it is appointed for all men once to die. 

Notwithstanding it is so evident that we must 
all die, yet the time is uncertain. We know not 
whether it will be in the winter, or the summer ; 
by day, or by night ; in youth, or old age ; by 
fever, or by the sword ; whether violent, or natu- 
ral. The time, and the manner, are equally un- 
known : we often hear of persons in health being 
attacked with sudden illness of which they die 
very suddenly. Others on the approach of illness, 
send for a physician, who assures the patient that 
there is no danger ; he prescribes remedies, but 
they do not have the desired effect ; the malady 
increases, the patient dies. May not such death 
be called sudden? Let us not flatter ourselves 
that youth, health or strength, will shield us from 
the dart of death. The widow's son was a young 
man when taken from his mother : let us therefore 
watch, for we know not the day, nor the hour. 



FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 321 

From these reflections it follows, that we should 
very carefully prepare for death : yet, alas ! how 
many are altogether indifferent as regards the life 
to come. How terrible the consequences attend- 
ing their culpable negligence ! those who defer 
their reconciliation with God, until attacked with 
perhaps a mortal sickness, what certain expecta- 
tion have they, that they will participate in the 
consolations of religion ; of that religion, which 
they have despised, if not insulted : that they, at 
that awful hour can procure a confessor, to whom 
they may unburden the heavy load that oppresses 
their guilty conscience ? that they may hear the 
consoling assurance that their sins are forgiven 
them ; that they may receive here, in the adorable 
Sacrament, a pledge of their eternal happiness 
hereafter ? Oh ! let these unhappy sinners, reflect 
seriously upon the words of Saint Jerome : Of a 
hundred thousand men, whose lives have been 
habitually wicked, scarcely one shall find mercy 
at his death ! 

If we desire that our death should be precious 
in the sight of God ; our lives must be an edify- 
ing example to others: if we hope to die the death 
of the just ; we must live the life of the right- 
eous : with St. Paul, we must die daily to the 
world: we must have the image of death con- 
stantly before our eyes : we must remember our 
last end, and we shall never sin. 

21 



322 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

PRAYER. 

O, thou supreme Lord of life, and death ! im- 
print upon my mind the remembrance of my 
last end. To die, is an universal sentence : nor 
do I seek to be exempt from it. I submit to thy 
decrees, O, wise dispenser of all things ! I am 
convinced that if I love, and serve thee faithfully, 
my death will be a short passage to eternal life. 

Merciful God ! in whose hands are all the mo- 
ments of my life : thou hast said I must die ! but 
when, or how, thou hast most wisely concealed, 
that I may be always prepared for death. I adore 
thy paternal providence, and desire to submit 
myself to thy holy will in all things : one favor 
I most humbly implore of thee, that thou take me 
not hence, with my sins unpardoned. Dear Lord ! 
make me by thy grace acceptable in thy sight : 
have compassion on me, say to my soul, arise ! 
that I may glorify thee, O God, forever ! 



SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTE- 
COST. 

Gospel. — Luke xiv. 1-11. 

At that time : When Jesus went into the 
house of one of the chief of the Pharisees on the 
Sabbath-day to eat bread, they watched him. 



SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 323 

And behold there was a certain man before him 
that had the dropsy. And Jesus answering, 
spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees saying: Is 
it lawful to heal on the Sabbath-day ? But they 
held their peace. But he taking him, healed 
him, and sent him away. And answering them, 
he said : Which of you shall have an ass or an 
ox fall into a pit ; and will not immediately draw 
him out on the Sabbath-day f And they could 
not answer him to these things. And he spoke 
a parable also to them that were invited, mark- 
ing how they chose the first seats at the table, 
saying to them : When thou art invited to a wed- 
ding, sit not down in the first place, lest perhaps 
one more honorable than thou be invited by him ; 
and he that invited thee and him, come and say to 
thee, Give this man place : and then thou begin, 
with shame to take the lowest place. But when 
thou art invited, go, sit down in the lowest place : 
that when he who invited thee cometh, he may 
say to thee, Friend, go up higher. Then shalt 
thou have glory before them that sit at table with 
thee : because every one that exalteth himself, 
shall be humbled ; and he that humbleth himself 
shall be exalted. 

INSTRUCTION. 

Our Redeemer, was invited by a chief of the 
Pharisees, to eat bread with him on the Sabbath- 



324: SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

day : those who were present, the gospel adds, 
watched him : being desirous to notice anything 
in his conduct whereon they might accuse him 
before the people. Base, ungenerous stratagem ! 
Sincerity in all our intentions, is as requisite as 
in every action of our lives : without sincerity, 
there can be no mutual confidence. The welfare 
of society requires reciprocal co-operation ; there- 
fore it is as unreasonable to expect, as it is im- 
possible to discover it, among those who are not 
sincere. Specious professions of kindness : plau- 
sible offers of service are but too frequently made 
use of to cover some hidden design, some sinister 
motive. 

Notwithstanding our Divine Master has con- 
demned the conduct of the Pharisees, are there 
not many Christians, who imitate these whitened 
sepulchres? are there not many who act with 
duplicity in their intercourse with their neigh- 
bors ; are there not many, who contemn the gospel 
rule which commands us to do unto others as 
we would they should do unto us ? 

From this fundamental principle we should 
never deviate : as we expect that men would be 
candid in their dealings with us, surely they have 
a just right to an interchange of the social com- 
pact. Our intentions, and our actions, should 
always correspond. If this was a general rule, 
deceit, and injustice would be unknown amongst 



SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 325 

us : the object for which society was formed 
would be attained : men would live as Christians. 
But, alas ! to the total neglect of this important 
dogma may be ascribed, the unhappy dissensions 
which prevail in society, and which unhappily, 
too frequently destroy the peace of families. To 
remove so alarming an evil is a duty we owe so- 
ciety : but as Christians, we are expressly com- 
manded by our Divine Redeemer, to do unto all 
men, as we would they should do unto us. He 
has assured us, that in this consists the fulfilment 
of the Law, and the Prophets. 

It is a principle of charity, not to think evil ; 
to suffer all things and to bear all things. From 
the weakness of our nature, we are all liable to 
err : therefore we are each of us obliged to bear 
with the defects of the other ; we cannot love 
God without loving our neighbor : he that says 
he loves God, and hateth his brother, is a liar. 
We must give the most charitable construction 
to the words and actions of others. If through 
human frailty our brother errs, we should con- 
sider how far inadvertence, weakness, or tempta- 
tion, may have influenced him. Let us imitate 
our Divine Master, who not only endured the 
malice of the scribes, and Pharisees, but animated 
with charity endeavored to correct their judg- 
ments, reclaim them from their vicious ways, 
and remove the prejudice they entertained against 



326 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

his doctrine and person. Hence, we are in- 
structed to observe a modest condescension tow- 
ards others, and give a reasonable satisfaction to 
those who may entertained unfounded prejudices 
against us. Thus, mutual courtesy will admi- 
rably sustain the harmony of social life, and each 
of us will participate in the happiness it pro- 
duces. 

Although our Divine Redeemer knew the ex- 
terior respect which the Pharisees required for 
the religious observance of the Sabbath, never- 
theless, he would heal the man afflicted with 
the dropsy, on the Sabbath day : yet to avoid 
giving any cause of scandal, he previously in- 
quired, if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath 
day? But, the gospel informs us, they held 
their peace ; not presuming to say, that a good 
work should not be done on these days. Whilst 
they were thus perplexed, and discomfited, our 
Savior healed the afflicted man and meekly in- 
quired, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox 
fall into a pit, and will not immediately draw 
him out on the Sabbath day ? 

Saint Paul says, All things are lawful, but all 
things are not expedient. Although there may 
be those, who take offence at the innocent recrea- 
tions we may partake of on the Sabbath, yet, we 
must always observe a charitable consideration 
for our neighbor : we must follow the perfect 



SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 327 

example of St. Paul : Wherefore, if meat scan- 
dalize my brother, I will never eat flesh, lest I 
should scandalize my brother. Genuine charity 
is always compassionate : the more unreasonable 
and unjust some are, the more they demand our 
commiseration, the more we should endeavor to 
remove their unfounded prejudices. Sanctified 
by these motives, our days would pass in peace, 
and the transient consolations of this life, would 
be succeeded by permanent happiness in the 
kingdom of heaven. 

PRAYER. 

Deliver me, O Jesus ! from malice, and envy : 
deliver me from their direful effects, rash judg- 
ments : give me a tender consideration for the 
weakness, and imperfections of others : enable 
me to render every good in my power to those 
who may require it : replenish my soul with thy 
graces and a perfect purity of intention : remove 
far from me pride and dissimulation : infuse into 
my heart meekness, sincerity, patience, charity, 
and every virtue, by which I may become more 
acceptable to thee. 

Adorable Master ! with admirable meekness 
and condescension, thou didst endeavor to reclaim 
thy insidious, thy avowed enemies ; although 
thou penetratest the depth of their dissimulation, 
thou didst accept their invitation, that thus, thou 



328 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

mightest overcome their inveterate malice, by 
thy unbounded mercy. Oh ! enable me to imi- 
tate thee, that I may never rashly judge, much 
less presume to condemn my neighbor : that I 
may endeavor to correct my manifold transgres- 
sions, and meekly, and charitably, endure the 
weaknesses and imperfections of others. 



SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER 
PENTECOST. 

Gospel. — Matt. xxii. 35-46. 

At that time : The Pharisees came to Jesus : 
and one of them, a doctor of the law, asked him, 
tempting him : Master, which is the great com- 
mandment of the law ? Jesus said to him : Thou 
shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, 
and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole 
mind. This is the greatest and the first com- 
mandment. And the second is like to this : 
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On 
these two commandments dependeth the whole 
law and the prophets. And the Pharisees being 
gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying: 
What think you of Christ? whose son is he? 
they say to him : David's. He saith to them : 
How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, 



SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 329 

saying : The Lord said to my Lord, sit on my 
right hand until I make thy enemies thy foot- 
stool ? If David then call him Lord, how is he 
his son ? And no man was able to answer him 
a word ; neither durst any man from that day 
forth ask him any more questions. 

INSTRUCTION. 

Those implacable enemies of Jesus Christ, the 
scribes and Pharisees, having been confounded 
by the wisdom of the Redeemer, employed a 
doctor of their law to make another attempt to 
ensnare him, that they might have a plausible 
pretext to proceed against him. In the chapter 
from whence the gospel of this day is taken we 
read, that our Blessed Lord was attacked by 
three classes of enemies, who though at vari- 
ance amongst themselves, yet, concurred in the 
iniquitous design of tempting Christ. 

The first, were the Herodians, who questioned 
him relative to paying tribute to Caesar. The 
second, were the Sadducees, who denied the res- 
urrection. The third were the Pharisees, who 
required to know the greatest commandment. 
To these subtle questions, our Divine Redeemer 
answered as one possessing infinite intelligence. 
His adversaries were overwhelmed with con- 
fusion. Neither durst any man from that day 
forth, ask him any more questions. 



330 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

The undeniable evidence which Jesus Christ 
gave, that he was the Son of God, the long 
promised Messiah, the desired of Nations : the 
irrefragable testimony of stupendous miracles, 
attested by the voice of his Eternal Father, who 
proclaimed to the world : This is my beloved Son, 
hear ye him : all these were insufficient to con- 
vince the proud, the obstinate Pharisees : but, if 
the inflexible wickedness of the Pharisees excites 
our amazement, what must be our apprehension 
for those Christians who make profession of their 
belief in Christ and in his doctrine, who never- 
theless, deny him by the sinfulness of their lives. 

When we are persuaded of the sacred truths 
of the Christian religion, we are obliged to ob- 
serve the rules it prescribes : the appellation of 
Christian, will but increase the guilt of those who 
bear the sacred character, if their lives are not 
conformable to the duties of divine faith. 

The Pharisees would not acknowledge Christ 
as the Messiah ; they denied he was the Son of 
God : consequently, as they rejected himself, 
they refused to receive his doctrine. In this, 
they were more consistent than those Christians 
who confess him to be the Christ, the Son of the 
living God, and yet live in open violation of the 
laws of the gospel. If we will not be governed 
by his precepts, why do we profess our belief in 
the principles he inculcated ; why do we submit 



SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 331 

to all the speculative truths of the Christian re- 
ligion, and refuse to observe, or rather virtually 
deny those that are practical ? The precepts of 
the gospel oblige us to practise humility, meek- 
ness, patience, and charity. But alas ! how many 
are proud and arrogant ? how many are provoked 
to anger, how many who entertain sentiments of 
malice and resentment against their neighbor? 
Can these be said to possess the virtues required 
by the gospel, as exemplified by Jesus Christ 
himself. Learn of me, because I am meek and 
humble of heart. In your patience you shall 
possess your souls. He that says he loves God, 
and hateth his brother, is a liar. 

When we behold in the greater part of man- 
kind an inordinate attachment to the goods of 
the world, when the important duties of religion, 
prayer, the sacraments, and the word of God are 
contemned, may we not apply to the lukewarm 
Catholics of our day the words St. Augustin ad- 
dressed to the wicked Christians of his time, 
Either change your manners or your name. 

To be a Christian is certainly a most valuable 
blessing. To be a good Catholic we must con- 
fess Jesus to be the Son of God. To have a firm 
persuasion of the truths of the gospel, is a happi- 
ness which none but a God of infinite goodness 
and mercy could bestow. Let us faithfully and 
ardently co-operate with his unbounded love for 



332 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

us : let the gospel be the rule of our lives. Let 
us live as Christians : as those who believe in 
Jesus Christ. Let us ever bear in mind, that our 
merciful Redeemer will one day be our inex- 
orable Judge, that to him, we must render an ac- 
count of every thought, word and action : im- 
pressed with a conviction of these important 
truths, let us reduce them to practice : let us no 
longer live in a speculative belief; but in the 
practice of every Christian virtue, that at the 
last, the awful day, we may be found worthy to 
be numbered among .those on the right hand of 
our Redeemer, that we may hear from him, the 
consoling words, Come, ye blessed of my Father, 
possess the kingdom prepared for you, from the 
foundation of the world. 

PRAYER. 

Adorable Jesus ! how obstinate, how ungrate- 
ful were the Jews. In the most engaging, and 
persuasive manner, thou didst invite, thou didst 
solicit them to believe in thee : thou didst entreat 
them to partake of the happiness thou has pre- 
pared for thy faithful followers, but alas! in 
vain. They sought to ensnare thee by insidious 
questions : they contemned thy heavenly doc- 
trine : they scoffed at thy miracles : they con- 
spired against thy person : they crucified thee on 
an ignominious cross. 



SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 333 

Oh ! dear Redeemer, do not suffer us to make 
void the grace of God, by resisting thy gracious 
invitations: by despising thy merciful admoni- 
tions. I confess, that thou art the Christ, the 
Son of the living God : enable me, dear Lord ! to 
love thee, obey, and faithfully persevere in thy 
service. O ! that all mankind might know thee, 
love thee, and serve thee. O ! that we might be 
so happy as to bring all sinners to thee, by a sin- 
cere repentance : give us an ardent zeal for the 
salvation of souls : bless, O Lord ! our feeble en- 
deavors, and if any good result therefrom, not 
to us, O Lord, not to us, but to thy name be all 
the glory given. 

Adorable master? thou hast said, that it is 
not every one who says Lord ! Lord ! that shall 
enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that doth 
the will of thy heavenly Father. Infuse thy 
grace into my soul that I may prove to thee, and 
before the world, that I am truly thy disciple : 
enable me, to walk in the paths of humility, 
patience, and charity, wherein for my example 
and encouragement thou hast walked before me : 
that I may love thee, O my God! above all 
things, and my neighbor as myself. 



334 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS, 



EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PEN- 
TECOST. 

Gospel. — Matt ix. 1-8. 

At that time : Jesus entering into a boat, he 
passed over the water and came into his own 
city. And behold they brought to him one sick' 
of the palsy, lying in a bed. And Jesus seeing 
their faith, said to the man sick of the palsy : 
Be of good heart, son, thy sins are forgiven thee. 
And behold some of the scribes said within 
themselves : He blasphemeth. And Jesus seeing 
their thoughts said : Why do you think evil in 
your hearts ? Whether is it easier to say, Thy 
sins are forgiven thee : or to say, Arise and walk. 
But that ye may know that the Son of Man hath 
power on earth to forgive sins, (then said he to 
the man sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy 
bed, and go into thy house. And he arose and 
went into his house. And the multitudes seeing 
it, feared, and glorified God that gave such power 
to men. 

INSTRUCTIONS. 

And behold they brought to him one sick 
of the palsy lying on a bed. This poor man 
was not only afflicted with a corporal malady, 
but also suffered under a spiritual distemper, 



EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 335 

produced by sin. Some charitable individuals 
laid him a bed, and carried him to Christ ; who 
on beholding him, being moved with compassion, 
said to him, Son, be of good heart, thy sins are 
forgiven thee. It is evident that the Almighty 
had thus afflicted this man, in his body, to effect 
the cure of his soul : for had he not been sick of 
the palsy, probably he had never gone to Jesus : 
and like many others, had died in his sins. Our 
Redeemer, who knows the secrets of all hearts, 
beheld his faith, his humility, and his contrition : 
he addressed him with these words, so full of 
consolution. Be of good heart, son, thy sins are 
forgiven thee. Having thus effected the cure of 
his soul, by the pardon of his sins, he restored 
health unto his body by saying unto him, Arise, 
take up thy bed and go into thy house. These 
paternal chastisements are the just punishment 
due for our manifold sins. Oh ! happy afflic- 
tions, which bring us to a proper consideration of 
our duty : which make us sensible of the dire 
effects of sin : happy sickness ! which prostrates 
us before the omnipotent God; humbly to ac- 
knowledge his justice, and to implore his mercy, 
through faith, humility, and contrition. 

When in the sacrament of penance, the Al- 
mighty by his ministers forgives us our sins, he 
bids us arise, and go to our house. We must 
thenceforth walk in the way which will lead us 



336 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

to heaven, which alone can be properly termed 
our permanent abode : for we have not here a 
lasting city, but we seek one that is to come. 
We must rise and walk in the way of the com- 
mandments : we must in all things conform to 
the holy will of God. By sin we become infirm, 
debilitated, sick of the palsy : we are unable to 
pursue our journey, until assisted by the mercy 
of God, we bring forth fruits worthy of penance : 
having been delivered from the misery of sin, we 
must by every means in our power, avoid that, 
the greatest of all evils ; being ever mindful of 
the admonition given by our Redeemer, Behold 
thou art made whole ; sin no more, lest a worse 
thing happen to thee. Should we abuse the 
mercy of God, by relapsing into those sins for 
which we have been pardoned, what may we ex- 
pect, but condign punishment for our base in- 
gratitude. Should we depart from the path of 
virtue, can we hope to arrive at the kingdom of 
heaven ? In imitation of the foolish virgins, we 
may, indeed, knock at the door and say, Lord, 
Lord, open to us, but, he answering, will say 
Amen I say to you, I know you not. Thus, 
whilst upon the one hand, we are encouraged 
through the mercy of God, to have recourse to 
him for the pardon of our sins, so on the other, 
we must studiously avoid returning like the dog 
to his vomit, or the sow which has been washed, 



EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 337 

to her wallowing in the mire, lest unhappily we 
die in our sins. 

Our Divine Master having given proofs of his 
power to heal the diseases of both our souls 
and bodies, the multitudes seeing it, feared and 
glorified God. Let us, Christians, fear his justice : 
let us glorify his mercy : let us tremble, lest we 
provoke a vindictive retribution: let us hear, 
whilst he himself speaks. I say unto you, be not 
afraid of them who kill the body, and after that 
have no more that they can do. But I will show 
you whom you shall fear: Fear ye him, who, 
after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell. 
Yea, I say to you, fear him. If we fear to offend 
the Almighty, we may hope to partake of his 
mercy ; his peculiar, his glorious attribute, which 
he delights to dispense to the children of men. 
He has bestowed upon us many spiritual and 
temporal favors: he has empowered the priests 
of his Church, in his name, to say to the penitent 
sinner, Thy sins are forgiven thee : arise, take up 
thy bed and go into thy house. He has replen- 
ished our souls with his grace : he has preserved 
us from innumerable dangers. Let us acknowl- 
edge, with hearts penetrated with sentiments of 
pious gratitude, his unbounded mercy : his un- 
speakable goodness. But let us beware, let us 
not be deceived ; our gratitude must not consist 

in words alone, it must be evident in all our 
22 



338 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

actions. God looks with complacence upon a 
heart penetrated with a sense of its obligations to 
him ; when we thus praise and glorify him, we 
may with confidence expect an increasing, an 
uninterrupted flow of Divine mercy : it is in this 
sense the words of our Redeemer are to be un- 
derstood. Whosoever hath, to him shall be 
given. Let us so live as to hope we may hear 
him address us in the consoling language of 
the gospel, Be of good heart, thy sins are forgiven 
thee ! 

PKAYER. 

Compassionate Redeemer of mankind! thou 
hadst pity on the man sick of the palsy ! — thou 
didst restore him to health. Thou didst forgive 
him his sins. Have pity on me, O Lord ! for I 
am afflicted with the palsy of sin : from which 
dreadful malady, thou only canst deliver me. O, 
Sovereign Physician of souls ! say but the word, 
and health and strength will be restored to my 
sinful soul. 

O, bountiful Jesus ! thou hast often bestowed 
this thy unspeakable mercy upon me : frequently 
have I experienced thy clemency in the pardon 
of my sins : in the innumerable favors thou 
hast conferred upon me. May thy holy name be 
praised and glorified for ever. I will praise and 
glorify thee, O good and gracious God ! Glory 



NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 339 

be to thee, who art truly wonderful in the happy 
effects thou producest in penitent sinners. Glory 
be to thee, for the manifold graces thou hast 
communicated to me, the most unworthy of thy 
servants. Immeasurable is thy power, O Lord ! 
how greatly should I fear thee. Infinite is thy 
mercy ; how unboundedly should I love and 
praise thee. 

Praise thou the Lord, O my soul ! and all that 
is within me, praise his holy name : and never 
forget all his mercies. Thus will I magnify the 
Lord, all my life : thus will I lift up my hands 
to his holy throne. Glory be to the Father, and 
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in 
the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world 
without end. 



NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTE- 
COST. 

Gospel. — Matt. xxii. 1, 14. 

At that time : Jesus spoke to the scribes and 
Pharisees in this parable, saying : The kingdom of 
heaven is likened to a king, who made a marriage 
for his son. And he sent his servants, to call 
them that were invited to the marriage : and 
they would not come. Again he sent other serv- 
ants, saying : Tell them that were invited : Be- 



340 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

hold, I have prepared my dinner ; my beeves and 
fatlings are killed, and all things are ready : come 
ye to the marriage. But they neglected, and 
went their ways, one to his farm, and another to 
his merchandise. And the rest laid hands on 
his servants, and having treated them contumeli- 
ously, put them to death. But when the king 
had heard of it, he was angry, and sending his 
armies, he destroyed those murderers, and burnt 
their city. Then he saith to his servants : The 
marriage indeed is ready ; but they that were in- 
vited, were not worthy. Go ye therefore into 
the highways ; and as many as you shall find, 
call to the marriage. And his servants going 
forth into the ways, gathered together all they 
found, both bad and good : and the marriage was 
filled with guests. And the king went in to see 
the guests ; and he saw there a man who had not 
on a wedding garment. And he saith to him: 
Friend, how earnest thou in hither not having on 
a wedding garment ? But he was silent. Then 
the king said to the waiters : Bind his hands and 
his feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness ; 
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 
For many are called, but few are chosen. 

INSTRUCTION. 

In the gospel appointed for this day, we are 
instructed upon two important and fundamental 



NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 341 

truths. The lesson is obvious : the application 
free from difficulty. This gospel tells us of the 
infinite goodness of God, who has invited all to 
happiness of heaven, represented by the marri- 
age feast. It also shows the base ingratitude of 
those who despise his gracious invitation, and 
pronounces malediction upon all who presumptu- 
ously appear before him without a wedding 
garment. The last will form the subject for the 
present instruction. 

The kingdom of heaven is proposed for our 
consideration, under the similitude of a marriage 
feast, to which none but those provided with 
a wedding garment, can hope to be admitted. 
By this nuptial garment, is understood charity, 
or the love of God — a white, an unspotted robe, 
with which those who are called to the spiritual 
nuptials of the Lamb, must be invested. Charity, 
or the love of God, is not to be considered as a 
single virtue, distinct from the others ; but the 
chief, in which is included every moral goodness : 
an abridgment of every Christian duty. 

The man who had not on a wedding gar- 
ment, represents those much mistaken persons, 
who imagine that to have what they conceive to 
be faith, is a sufficient qualification to partake of 
the celestial banquet. That such Christians are 
much deceived, they may learn from the unhappy 
fate of the man, who had not on a wedding gar- 



342 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

ment ; who was bound hands and feet, and cast 
into exterior darkness: there shall be weeping 
and gnashing of teeth. 

If faith alone was sufficient to entitle us to 
enter the kingdom of heaven, would our Divine 
Redeemer have said to the lawyer, If thou wilt 
enter into life, keep the commandments ? Would 
the Apostle have assured us that faith without 
good works, is dead? The devils believe, and 
tremble, but what advantage do they derive from 
their dead faith ? Thus writes St. Peter, and 
you, employing all care, minister in your faith 
virtue ; and in virtue knowledge ; and in knowl- 
edge abstinence ; and in abstinence patience ; and 
in patience Godliness ; and in Godliness love of 
brotherhood, charity : that by good works you 
may make sure your calling and election. Then 
will we possess a faith working by love, perfected 
by charity. 

The nuptial garment, (our conscience,) must 
be undefiled. Sin pollutes the soul ; hence it be- 
comes unworthy of the happiness for which it 
has been created. The least sin committed wil- 
fully, renders us an object of God's aversion : 
consequently, every stain must be cleansed in the 
salutary waters of penance. Our Redeemer did 
not condemn the man for appearing among the 
guests without a garment, but for not being 
clothed in a wedding garment : in one suitable 



NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 343 

to the dignity of the kingdom, and the magnifi- 
cence of the entertainment to which he had been 
invited. Hence, we are admonished, that we 
must not only possess the robe of true faith, but 
it must be adorned with good works, that thus 
we may be acceptable to him, who has invited us 
to the marriage feast. 

Let us therefore, devote our serious attention 
to the important truths delivered in the gospel 
for this day. Go ye therefore into the highways ; 
and as many as you shall find call to the marri- 
age. The poor, the lame, the blind, all are soli- 
cited to be happy : if any are excluded, they are 
those, who decline the gracious invitation, or 
who do not endeavor to acquire and practise the 
virtues, and perform the duties, required by the 
Christian dispensation. If they are rejected, nay, 
if they are cast into exterior darkness, where 
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, the 
consequences are to be attributed to themselves. 
God never requires of us, that which is impossi- 
ble : his commands are not impracticable, nor 
difficult to be observed when assisted by divine 
grace, which he never withholds when solicited 
with a contrite, and humble heart; therefore, 
while we have time, and opportunity, let us do 
good, and thereby make our calling and election 
sure. Let us have our loins girt, that is our pas- 
sions and inclinations under wholesome restraint : 



344: SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

let us have lamps in our hands, replenished with 
the oil of charity and good works : that when the 
King cometh we may be prepared to attend the 
marriage feast, we may be adorned with a wed- 
ding garment, and with the saints and angels for 
all eternity glorify God in the kingdom of Heaven. 

PRAYER. 

O, Jesus, my adorable master ! how loving, how 
bountiful hast thou been to us ! Thou hast pre- 
pared a royal banquet, of which thou hast soli- 
cited us to partake. Truly, thou hast done all 
things well ! O, dear Redeemer ! permit us not 
to refuse thy gracious invitation : excite in our 
souls an ardent desire to participate in the joys 
of thy banquet : suffer not the business, or pleas- 
ures of this world, to retard us for a moment 
from responding to thy call : let it be our su- 
preme happiness to possess thee, as it will be our 
greatest misery to be deprived of thee. 

My God ! I presume to come, though deeply 
impressed with the conviction of my total un- 
worthiness, but confiding in thy unbounded good- 
ness and mercy. O, suffer me not, dear Lord ! 
to approach thee unprepared: adorn my soul 
with the spotless garments of Divine Charity: 
assist me to love thee, my God, above all things, 
and my neighbor as myself. O, Lord ! I ardently 
desire to be a partaker of the delicious banquet 



TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 345 

thou hast prepared for those who love thee, that 
being strengthened thereby, I may be enabled to 
exclaim with the Apostle of Nations, who then 
shall separate us from the love of Christ? 
shall tribulation or distress or famine or naked- 
ness or danger or persecution or the sword? For 
I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, 
nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, 
nor things to come, nor might, nor height, nor 
depth, nor any other creature shall be able to 
separate us from the love of God, which is in 
Christ Jesus our Lord. 



TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTE- 
COST. 

Gospel. — John iv. 46, 53. 

At that time : There was a certain ruler whose 
son was sick at Capharnaum. He having heard 
that Jesus was come from Judea into Galilee, 
went to him, and prayed him to come down and 
heal his son : for he was at the point of death. 
Jesus therefore said to him : Unless you see signs 
and wonders, you believe not. The ruler saith 
to him : Lord, come down before that my son die. 
Jesus saith to him : Go thy way, thy son liveth. 
The man believed the word which Jesus said to 
him, and went his way. And as he was going 



346 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

down, his servants met him ; and they brought 
word, saying, that his son lived. He asked there- 
fore of them the hour wherein he grew better. 
And they said to him : yesterday at the seventh 
hour the fever left him. The father therefore 
knew that it was at the same hour that Jesus 
said to him : Thy son liveth • and himself be- 
lieved, and his whole house. 

INSTRUCTION. 

Prosperity seldom produces a sincere love of 
God. The reason is plain : it generates an attach- 
ment to the world : whilst adversity teaches the 
important maxim, that to be truly happy, we 
must seek happiness from God alone. Adversity 
withdraws our affections from the goods of this 
life, by exhibiting the uncertainty of their dura- 
tion, and the many accidents by which we may 
be deprived of them. Thus our misfortunes, our 
afflictions, frequently prove instrumental in com- 
pelling us to have recourse to God, and although 
attended with some difficulty, yet oftentimes that 
which was commenced from urgent necessity 
may terminate in the happy choice to remain 
attached to his holy service. Hence, the designs 
of the Almighty are made manifest, by detaching 
us from the criminal pursuits of the world ; he 
conducts us to himself, and he removes those im- 
pediments which obstruct our progress in the at- 



TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 347 

tainment of true happiness. God frequently inter- 
rupts, nay often deprives us of our imaginary 
happiness : that we may become sensible of the 
dangers to which we had been exposed. He knows 
full well that an uninterrupted prosperity too 
frequently leads to a forgetfulness of our duty to 
God, to a neglect of the salvation of our immortal 
souls, to a total disregard for our eternal happi- 
ness. As one acquainted with all our maladies, 
God obliges us to have recourse to him : as a pru- 
dent, and skilful physician, he does not consider 
what may be agreeable, but that which may be 
profitable, and he applies those remedies which 
he knows are most conducive to our welfare. 

Let us imitate the conduct of the "Ruler 
whose son was sick at Capharnaum. He having 
heard that Jesus was come from Judea into Gal- 
ilee, went to him, and prayed him to come down 
and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 
From the solicitude evinced by this Ruler, it is 
manifest, that he had a paternal affection for his 
child : that he apprehended a fatal result from 
the violence of his fever : and that the possibility 
of losing him, was an interruption to those pleas- 
ures he had hitherto enjoyed. Were it not, that 
his son was at the point of death it is more than 
probable, he would have never heard that Jesus, 
was come from Judea into Galilee ! But, on be- 
holding his child about to expire, he had recourse 



348 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

to the compassionate Jesus ! He prayed him to 
come down, and heal his son. Our merciful Re- 
deemer, yielded to the pressing solicitations of the 
afflicted parent. Go thy way, thy son liveth : the 
man believed the word which Jesus said to him, 
and went his way. Here let us admire the won- 
derful economy of God's providence. The Ruler 
in going to Jesus, only expected to save the tem- 
poral life of his child, it proved the happy occa- 
sion of bringing spiritual life to himself and to 
his family. 

Our Savior had been in Cana of Galilee : he 
had preached his gospel in Capharnaum : he had 
wrought the most stupendous miracles: never- 
theless, few of the rich, or those of exalted rank, 
believed in him. His fame had indeed, reached 
the ears of this Ruler, who then disregarded it. 
But when afflicted in the person of his son, his 
thoughts revert to Jesus : he meditates upon all 
he had heard : he immediately resolves to have 
recourse to him and as a result, himself believed, 
and his whole house. 

God frequently makes himself known to us by 
the ministers of his Church. We daily hear of 
him, and what he taught with regard to the im- 
portant affair of our salvation : but alas ! like the 
Ruler, we are unmindful of the manifold favors 
bestowed upon us. The occupations of a world- 
ly life : the visionary enjoyments of its delusive 



TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 349 

pleasures, engage all our attention, until we are 
overtaken by some calamity ; then like the Ruler, 
we become sensible of our alarming situation; 
then we have recourse to Jesus, from whom we 
shall receive abundant consolation, provided we 
are animated with the requisite dispositions. 

The design of the Almighty, in permitting mis- 
fortunes and afflictions to overtake us, is to at- 
tach us to himself; to withdraw us from the 
world. Certain it is that we must seek for the 
alleviation of our sorrows at the feet of our com- 
passionate Redeemer : we must cast all our cares 
upon him. It were vain to seek a remedy amidst 
the sinful pleasures of the world. The faithful 
Christian contemplates in every adversity, a be- 
nevolent monitor, who informs him, that Jesus is 
come down from Judea into Galilee. Imitating 
the example of the Ruler, he approaches him by 
reflection; he investigates with great exactitude 
his past life, to discover if any irregularity, or 
particular sin may have provoked the Divine in- 
dignation to visit him in his anger. Should he 
perceive that he has offended his heavenly Father, 
he prostrates himself before him and repeats 
the words of the Royal Psalmist : To thee only, O, 
Lord ! have I sinned, and done evil in thy sight, 
that thou mayest be justified in thy words, and 
mayest overcome when thou art judged. But 
even if unconscious of any deviation from the 



350 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

path of rectitude, he humbly adores, he patiently 
submits to the paternal chastisements of the 
Almighty : he looks on the face of his suffering 
Christ ; he is impressed with the conviction, that 
in our patience we shall possess our souls : that 
our tribulation worketh for us above measure ex- 
ceedingly, an eternal weight of glory. If with 
similar dispositions we have recourse to him in 
all our difficulties, we will mercifully obtain the 
assistance we require : meanwhile, let us implore 
his grace, to enable us to do that which he com- 
mands : to suffer what he permits : as it is 
through many tribulations we must enter the 
kingdom of God. 

PRAYER. 

O, Sovereign Lord! how good, how bountiful 
art thou ! Thy ears are always open to hear our 
prayers : thou art always disposed to grant our 
petitions : thou dost even exceed our expecta- 
tions in the multitude of the graces thou bestow- 
est on us : thou art our Physician and our life : 
through thee, we live ; deprived of thee, we die. 

Thou inexhaustible source of mercy ! to whom 
shall we have recourse but to thee, O Lord! 
Penetrated with humility, and confiding in thy 
goodness, I presume to implore thee, in behalf of 
my poor soul, which through sin is dangerously 
ill : speak, dear Lord, and my soul shall be 



TWENTY-FIRST AFTER PENTECOST. 351 

healed : say to me as thou saidst to the Ruler, 
go, thy soul livest ! then shall I be made whole : 
then will I praise, then will I glorify thy holy 
name. 

If accumulated misfortunes are necessary to 
bring me to thee, O, Jesus ! I submit to thy mer- 
ciful dispensations. I bow, I humbly adore thy 
gracious appointment : having been assured by 
the Apostle of Nations, that through many tribu- 
lations, we shall enter the kingdom of heaven. 



TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER 
PENTECOST. 

Gospel. — Matt, xviii. 23, 35. 

At that time : Jesus spoke to his disciples this 
parable : The kingdom of heaven is likened to a 
king who would take an account of his servants. 
And when he had begun to take the account, one 
was brought to him that owed him ten thousand 
talents. And as he had not wherewith to pay it, 
his lord commanded that he should be sold, and 
his wife and children, and all that he had, and 
payment to be made. But that servant falling 
down, besought him, saying : Have patience with 
me and I will pay thee all. And the lord of that 
servant being moved with pity, let him go and 
forgave him the debt. But when that servant 



352 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

was gone out, he found one of his fellow-servants 
that owed him a hundred pence ; and laying hold 
of him, he throttled him saying : pay what thou 
owest. And his fellow-servant falling down, be- 
sought him, saying : Have patience with me, and 
I will pay thee all. And he would not: but 
went and cast him into prison, till he paid the 
debt. Now his fellow-servants seeing what was 
done, were very much grieved, and they came 
and told their lord all that was done. Then his 
lord called him, and said to him : Thou wicked 
servant, I forgave thee all the debt, because thou 
besoughtest me : shouldst not thou then have had 
compassion also oti thy fellow-servant, even as I 
had compassion on thee? And his lord being 
angry, delivered him to the torturers, until he 
paid all the debt. So also shall my heavenly 
Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his 
brother from your hearts. 

INSTRUCTION. 

The unbounded mercy of God is forcibly dis- 
played in the gospel of this day : but whilst it 
communicates consolation, it penetrates us with 
a salutary apprehension, lest we abuse the multi- 
plied favors of our heavenly Father. A king hav- 
ing called his servants to an account, one was 
brought to him who owed him ten thousand 
talents ; not being able to pay so large a sum, he, 



TWENTY-FIRST AFTER PENTECOST. 353 * 

his wife, children, and all he had were ordered to 
be sold ; but the servant falling down, besought 
his master saying, have patience with me, and I 
will pay thee all. The king had compassion upon 
him, let him go and forgave him the debt. What 
an admirable scene is here presented for our con- 
templation! Can we reflect upon the unhappy 
situation of this poor man and his family, with- 
out feeling the strongest emotions of commisera- 
tion for his wretched condition? He has no 
remedy but one : he appeals to the bounty of his 
injured king. He falls at his feet : he implores 
him to have patience, and he will pay him all. 
He not only obtains what he solicits, but more 
than he requires ; for he sought but for a little 
time, when behold, his benevolent prince forgives 
him all the debt ! Magnificent representation of 
the bounty of God : of his unbounded mercy to 
all penitent sinners. When the Almighty be- 
holds us prostrate before him, unable of ourselves 
to perform the least good, he regards our sighs, 
our tears, our contrite and humble hearts ; he 
pardons our manifold transgressions, he desires 
us go in peace and sin no more. Truly, may every 
sinner exclaim, the mercy of the Lord is above 
all his works ! What can give us a more exalted 
idea of the infinite mercy, and patience of God, 
than the consideration of his forbearance ; with 
What tenderness he solicits ; with what patience 
23 



354: SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

he awaits the return of the sinner. If we con- 
template the great number of those who defile 
the earth by the enormity of their sins ; if we 
draw a portrait of the corruption of mankind, 
what a torrent of iniquity will be presented to 
our view? Did we possess even a ray of divine 
knowledge to penetrate the inmost recesses of 
the human heart, what a picture would we there 
behold ? how admirable would appear the infinite 
patience of God, who for so many ages has borne 
the insults of a wicked world, the base ingrati- 
tude of his creatures, whom he continually soli- 
cits to depart from their evil ways ; hence it was 
that the Prophet Jeremias exclaimed : It is the 
mercy of the Lord, that we are not consumed, be- 
cause his compassion fails not ! How often has 
he not called upon each of us to return to him ? 
how numerous the opportunities he has afforded 
us ; how often has he exhorted us by his minis- 
ters ? how frequently has he spoken to us by the 
admonitions of our own conscience? sometimes 
endeavoring to reclaim us by the threats of 
divine justice, at others, with the affection of a 
most tender parent, he sweetly entreats us with 
promises of infinite mercy. 

As God is our supreme Sovereign, he will call 
each of us to an account : have we not abundant 
reason to apprehend that we will be found greatly 
indebted to him? If in the sacrament of pen- 



TWENTY-FIRST AFTER PENTECOST. 355 

ance, upon our humble supplication, he generously 
forgives our former debts, we must carefully avoid 
contracting new obligations. This is a matter of 
much more importance than many seem to be 
sensible of ; for, do we not see numbers falling at 
the feet of their Divine Master, asking pardon, 
and promising amendment: but do all these 
really, endeavor to amend ? are there not those, 
who soon forget the favor they have received, 
the promises which they have made? Should 
not such of us as are relapsing sinners tremble 
lest we abuse the mercy of our God, lest by the 
turpitude of our conduct, we provoke the justice 
of the Almighty to exact payment of our entire 
debt. When through the sacrament of penance 
we have become reconciled to him, we must dili- 
gently endeavor to correct our faults, fulfil our 
good purposes, and amend our lives. To each of 
us, our Redeemer thus addresses himself, go, and 
sin no more. 

Our Divine Master has given us an exposition 
of the clemency we ought to show to our neigh- 
bor. Inasmuch as we have received mercy from 
God, we should impart it to each other. Unless 
we forgive one another, we cannot expect forgive- 
ness from God : this portion of the gospel is of 
the utmost importance to every individual : it 
demands our most serious attention. 



356 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

PRAYER. 

O, my God ! my Sovereign Lord ! have mercy 
on me, prostrate at thy sacred feet. I humbly 
implore thee, to have patience with me. I con- 
fess that I am greatly indebted to thy justice : 
grant me thy grace that I may sincerely labor to 
make some atonement for my past transgres- 
sions : enable me to serve thee more faithfully 
for the future. Have compassion on me, and say 
to my soul, thy sins are forgiven thee. I tremble f 
O Lord ! when I contemplate the rigor of thy 
justice. I fly to the extended arms of thy mercy. 
Thy delight is to show clemency to the sons of 
men. I will hope to receive the pardon of my 
sins, and I firmly purpose never to offend thee 
hereafter. 

But, adorable Jesus ! whilst thus I invoke thy 
mercy for myself, let me ever recollect, thou hast 
promised to do unto me, as I do unto my neigh- 
bor : thou hast commanded me to love him, and 
to forgive him, as often as he shall offend me. I 
give thee thanks for this holy, this just com- 
mand : for the love of thee, I sincerely, and from 
my heart forgive all those who have in any way 
injured or offended me : enable me, O God ! to 
eradicate from my heart every sentiment of anger, 
hatred, or malice, that I may live and die in per- 
fect charity with all mankind : forgive, dear 



TWENTY-SECOND AFTER PENTECOST. 357 

Lord ! those who have injured me, and pardon 
me my manifold offences. O, that the spirit of 
perfect charity may ever reign in our hearts, that 
we may ardently love thee, O, God ! and sin- 
cerely love one another. 



TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER 
PENTECOST. 

Gospel. — Matt. xxii. 15, 21. 

At that time : The Pharisees going, consulted 
among themselves how to ensnare him in his 
speech. And they send to him their disciples 
with the Herodians, saying: Master, we know 
that thou art a true speaker, and teachest the 
way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any 
man : for thou dost not regard the persons of men. 
Tell us therefore what thou dost think, is it 
lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not ? But Jesus 
knowing their wickedness, said : Why do you 
tempt me, ye hypocrites ? Show me the coin or 
the tribute. And they offered him a penny. 
And Jesus saith to them : Whose image and 
inscription is this ? They say to him Caesar's. 
Then he saith to them : Render therefore to Cae- 
sar the things that are Caesar's : and to God, the 
things that are God's. 



358 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 



INSTRUCTIONS. 

The practical instructions given in the gospel 
for this day, demand our serious consideration. 
The Pharisees thus addressed our Divine Re- 
deemer : Master, we know that thou art a true 
speaker and teachest the way of God in truth, 
neither carest thou for any man. For thou dost 
not regard the persons of men. Notwithstanding 
the insidious designs of the Pharisees to ensnare 
our Redeemer, they were obliged to proclaim to 
the world the innocence of his life, and the purity 
of his doctrine. In his own divine person, he has 
given a brilliant example for every Christian to 
imitate. The glory of God, the welfare of others, 
should be the object of all our actions, particularly 
of those who are called to the sacred ministry, 
who must teach and preach the word of God in 
truth and perfect purity, not seeking to please 
men, but the Almighty, so to fulfil the work of 
their ministry as to be approved by God, to do 
good to be rich in good works, to give easily, to 
communicate to others. Every true Christian 
must be a sincere lover of truth ; his life must be 
regulated by the maxims of the gospel, without 
regard to the fear of offending, or the desire of 
pleasing others ; he must ever walk in the paths of 
truth and equity, courageously professing our holy 



TWENTY-SECOND AFTER PENTECOST. 359 

faith, and the practice of every virtue, as our dear 
Redeemer has assured us, that : Every one who 
shall confess me before men, I will also confess 
him before my Father who is in heaven : but he 
who shall deny me before men, I will also deny 
him before my Father who is in heaven — hence, 
to the profession of our belief, must be added the 
practice of every Christian duty. 

The Pharisees, and many of the Jews, held it 
to be unlawful to pay tribute to Caesar. They, 
therefore, send their disciples to Jesus, to inquire if 
the demand was legal they flattered themselves 
with the hope that his reply would render him 
obnoxious to the rulers, or to the people. But 
the wise man has said, There is no wisdom or 
counsel against the Lord. Our divine Redeemer 
with admirable prudence defeated their impious 
design ; covered with shame and confusion, they 
returned, totally discomfited. Had he replied 
that it was lawful, they would have proclaimed 
him an enemy to the liberty and property of the 
people : if he had answered that it was unjust, 
they would have denounced him as an enemy to 
the State. But Jesus knowing their wickedness, 
said: Why do you tempt me, ye hypocrites? 
Show me a piece of tribute-money. And they 
offered him a penny. And Jesus saith to them : 
whose image and inscription is this ? They say 
to him, Caesar's. Then he saith to them : Ren- 



360 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

der therefore to Caesar the things that are Cae- 
sar's ; and to God the things that are God's. 

Whose image is this that has been stamped 
upon our immortal souls? is a question upon 
which every Christian should frequently and 
solemnly meditate : we must admit, it is the like- 
ness of God. Whose inscription is this? We 
behold it in characters indelibly imprinted upon 
the most noble of our faculties; our will, our 
memory, and our understanding. We belong to 
God alone. Neither Caesar, nor the world, should 
have any dominion over us. How careful should 
we be to preserve the image of the Almighty un- 
deflled : to guard his inscription with the most 
scrupulous fidelity. We belong to God alone 
we must not become the slaves of his implacable 
enemies, the devil, the world, and the flesh. 

God has given us a will wherein the divine 
image evidently appears : by this faculty, we are 
enabled to determine with perfect freedom the 
choice we may make between eternal happiness, 
or endless misery: the supereminence of this 
power appears in this, that our happiness depends 
in a great measure upon ourselves, inasmuch as 
no man is miserable by necessity, but becomes so 
by the perversion of his will. What a glorious 
privilege to be thus as it were likened unto God ; 
to partake in some degree of the divine perfec- 
tions ! 



TWENTY-SECOND AFTER PENTECOST. 361 

God has given us a memory, which enables us 
to contemplate him, as our great Creator. By 
this noble faculty, we retain what we hear, what 
we are taught ; that we may ever bear in mind 
the object of our creation, and place our entire 
dependance upon the Almighty. Whatever we 
possess is from him alone, the work of whose 
hands we are. It is impossible to employ our 
memory Avithout being reminded whose image 
we bear, whose inscription has been stamped 
upon us. 

God has given us an understanding, whereby 
we are enabled to comprehend the duties we owe 
to him. It is by this faculty we are distinguished 
from the brute creation : by this power we reflect 
and reason. When we know the end for which 
we were created, we conclude it is our duty to 
obey the law of God and that to deviate there- 
from, would be to endanger our eternal salvation. 
By this faculty we comprehend the great duties 
of a Christian life, we know how to regulate our 
actions ; how to avoid evil, and follow good ; how 
to discern between things that are temporal, and 
those that are eternal ; how much more desirable 
the permanent happiness of heaven is, than the 
fleeting possession of the things of this world : 
these acts of the understanding sufficiently de- 
monstrate whose image we bear, whose inscrip- 
tion has been stamped upon us. 



362 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

These being the tenets of every faithful Chris- 
tian, let us henceforth dedicate ourselves to the 
service, and observance of the law of God : let 
every power of our souls be employed to praise, 
to serve, and glorify him. Our will in loving him. 
Our memory in reflecting upon him. Our under- 
standing in learning, and performing our duty 
with perfect fidelity. God having made us after 
his own image and likeness, to love and serve him 
faithfully here, it is in his service every Christian 
should be employed who hopes to participate in 
the joys of the kingdom of heaven ; thus we shall 
render unto Gcd the things that are God's. 

peayee. J 

Dear Redeemer ! Mirror of purity : source of 
truth : teach me, how I may serve thee with 
sincerity : confirm me with thy holy grace, that 
regardless of what others may say of me, I may 
pursue a steady course of virtue, and perfect love 
of thee. O, God ! Thou hast made me, after 
thine own image. Thou hast given me the noble 
faculties of will, memory, and understanding. 
Thou hast given me a will to love thee : a memory 
to be ever recollected in thee : an understanding 
to know, and serve thee. May I love thee with 
all my heart, with all my mind, with all my 
strength, may I desire to know but thee, O, my 
God ! and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. 



TWENTY-THIRD AFTER PENTECOST. 363 



TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PEN- 

TECOST. 

Gospel.— Matt. ix. 18, 26. 

At that time : As Jesus was speaking to the 
multitude : Behold a certain ruler came up, and 
adored him, saying : Lord, my daughter is even 
now dead ; but come lay thy hand upon her, and 
she shall live. And Jesus rising up followed him, 
with his disciples. And behold a woman who 
was troubled with an issue of blood twelve years, 
came behind him, and touched the hem of his 
garment. For she said within herself : If I shall 
touch only his garment, I shall be healed. But 
Jesus turning and seeing her, said : Be of good 
heart, daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole. 
And the woman was made whole from that hour. 
And when Jesus was come into the house of the 
ruler, and saw the minstrels and the multitude 
making a rout, he said : Give place : for the girl 
is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him 
to scorn. And when the multitude was put forth, 
he went in and took her by the hand. And the 
maid arose. And the fame hereof went abroad 
into all that country. 



364: SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS, 



INSTRUCTION. 

Our Redeemer was solicited by a ruler of the 
Synagogue, to go down to his house, to heal his 
daughter who lay at the point of death. Christ 
complied with his desire, and when he came to 
the house he found the girl dead, but taking her 
by the hand he restored her to life. As Jesus 
was going to the ruler's house, a woman who 
had been troubled with an issue of blood twelve 
years, came behind him, and touched the hem of 
his garment. For she said within herself. If I 
shall touch only his garment I shall be healed. 
But Jesus turning and seeing her, said : Be of 
good heart, daughter, thy faith hast made thee 
whole. Saint Luke informs us, that this poor 
woman had bestowed all her substance on phy- 
sicians, and could not be healed by any. She 
had recourse to Jesus Christ : her faith told her 
that if she but touched the hem of his garment 
she should be healed. Daughter, said the com- 
passionate Jesus, thy faith hath made thee whole, 
go thy way in peace. 

How many nowadays imitate the afflicted 
women? how many there are who spend all 
their substance in search of happiness which is 
not to be found in a world sated in wicked- 
ness. Let us consider that in this world true 



TWENTY-THIRD AFTER PENTECOST. 365 

happiness is not to be found : that God alone is 
perfect felicity. 

Man born of a woman, living a short time, is 
filled with many miseries. That we are subject 
to many miseries in this world, is sufficiently ob- 
vious : yet, there are those to whom it appears 
otherwise, who being exempt from the privations 
attendant upon poverty, and partaking of the 
false pleasures of this life, become the willing 
dupes of the world ; but were these persons to 
investigate the subject, they would find a gross 
delusion had been practised upon them. To pass 
over the corporal afflictions to which we are all 
subject, let us consider the far greater calamities 
of the mind, arising from our inordinate passions, 
which the more they are indulged the more they 
desire : their efforts produce fatigue, disappoint- 
ment, and anxiety : thus is the mind deprived of 
every solid happiness. 

Who is there that says he is rich enough ? who 
that does not desire more ? How few, who are 
content with what they possess? How many, 
who have but little, imagine they would be happy 
if they had but a little more ? To obtain the 
object of their desires, their thoughts, their 
anxious days and restless nights, are employed in 
striving after wealth: and when procured, the 
ruling passion predominates : it desires abundance, 
nor is it at a loss for specious pretexts to gratify 



366 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

its cupidity: and generally, those who possess 
abundance, are desirous to increase it, that they 
may have it in their power to indulge their pro- 
pensities without control. 

Should ambition, or pleasure, be our ruling 
passion, how seldom is it restrained within the 
bounds of moderation ! Pride, which makes us 
ambitious of distinction, incites us to proceed, 
but we should check its progressive desires. 
Pleasures, which have been indulged, satiate and 
the mind is continually exercised in the pursuit 
of new gratifications, which like the former soon 
grow insipid : and as new pleasures must be 
supplied, fresh trouble and anxiety succeed each 
other. It is in vain we seek for happiness in the 
riches, honors, or pleasures of this world : in vain 
we seek for true, for permanent happiness but in 
the service of God. 

Following the precepts of our Divine Master, 
we are enabled to subdue our passions with the 
assistance of his grace, which he grants to us 
by prayer, and the sacraments. The humility 
taught by the gospel is a sovereign antidote 
against the poison of pride. Poverty of spirit 
inculcated by Jesus Christ and his disciples, as it 
limits our desires for the things of this world, so 
it makes us content with the station wherein we 
are placed, and consequently exempts us from 
the anxiety and solicitude inseparable from an 



TWENTY-THIRD AFTER PENTECOST. 367 

inordinate love of riches. By it we are protected 
from the dangerous occasions to which an ir- 
regular desire of wealth exposes us, and having 
a competence of food and raiment, we possess 
that true happiness, that peace of mind, which 
is not to be purchased with the wealth of the 
universe. May the consideration of these im- 
portant truths, produce a salutary impression 
upon our minds : an evident influence on our 
conduct : if hitherto, our time has been devoted 
to the world, without being healed by any, 
let us now abandon it as an empty cheat: let 
us go to Jesus; let us love him as the only 
object deserving our attentions. In his service, 
we will find a remedy for all our evils : assistance 
in the hour of distress : consolation in affliction : 
security against the fear of death : and a rational 
hope of eternal felicity in the kingdom of heaven. 

PRAYER. 

To whom shall we have recourse for an effec- 
tual remedy for the multiplied disorders of our 
souls, but to thee O, Jesus ! the inexhaustible 
source of all good ? Too long have we sought for 
it, amidst the fascination of a deceitful world: 
too long have we been the slaves of ungovernable 
passions, of inordinate inclinations : alas ! too 
long have we lived the willing victims of sin. It 



368 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

is time we should arise from the unhappy lethargy 
through which we have become unmindful of 
our eternal interests, and insensible of thy un- 
bounded mercy. 

We will arise, O dear Redeemer ! we will go 
to thee, the only Physician of our souls : if we 
can touch the hem of thy garment, we shall be 
made whole. Say unto us, dear Lord ! as thou 
didst to the afflicted woman, Be of good heart. 
Assist us with thy divine grace during our mortal 
career, and when the hour arrives when time 
shall be no more for us, replenish our souls with 
every virtue, that each of us may hope to hear 
from thee those consoling words, Thy faith hath 
made thee whole, go thy way in peace. 



TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER 
PENTECOST. 

Gospel. — Matt. xxiv. 15-35. 

At that time : Jesus said to his disciples : 
When you shall see the abomination of desola- 
tion, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, 
standing in the holy place : he that readeth, let 
him understand. Then they that are in Judea, 
let them flee to the mountains ; and he that is on 
the house-top let him not come down to take any 



TWENTY-FOURTH AFTER PENTECOST. 369 

thing out of his house : and he that is in the 
field, let him not go back to take his coat. And 
wo to them that are with child, and that give 
suck in those days. But pray that your flight be 
not in the winter, or on the Sabbath. For there 
shall be then great tribulation, such as hath not 
been from the beginning of the world until now, 
neither shall be. And unless those days had 
been shortened, no flesh should be saved : but for 
the sake of the elect, those days shall be shortened. 
Then if any man shall say to you : Lo here is 
Christ, or there : do not believe him : For there 
shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and 
shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch as 
to deceive (if possible) even the elect. Behold I 
have told it you, beforehand. If therefore they 
shall say to you : Behold he is in the desert ; go 
ye not out : Behold he is in the closets, believe 
it not. For as lightning cometh out of the east, 
and appeareth even into the west ; so shall also 
the coming of the Son of Man be. Wheresoever 
the body shall be, there shall the eagles also be 
gathered together. And immediately after the 
tribulation of those days, the sun shall be dark- 
ened, and the moon shall not give her light, and 
the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers 
of the heavens shall be moved : and there shall 
appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven : 

and then shall all tribes of the earth mourn : and 
24 



370 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

they shall see the Son of Man, coming in the 
clouds of heaven with much power and majesty. 
And he shall send his angels with a trumpet, and 
a great voice : and they shall gather together his 
elect from the four winds, from the farthest parts 
of the heavens to the utmost bounds of them. 
And from the fig- tree learn a parable : when the 
branch thereof is now tender, and the leaves 
come forth, you know that summer is nigh. So 
you also, when you shall see all these things, 
know ye that it is nigh even at the doors. Amen, 
I say to you, that this generation shall not pass 
till these things be done. Heaven and earth shall 
pass, but my words shall not pass. 

INSTRUCTION. 

How pathetically does the Redeemer foretell 
the destruction of the Jewish people. His pre- 
dictions were fulfilled during the siege of Jeru- 
salem, under Titus, the son of Vespasian the 
Roman Emperor. Amid the horrors incident to 
such a calamitous event, was to be seen the 
abomination of desolation spoken of by the Pro- 
phet Daniel ; when the Holy of Holies, or interior 
part of the temple was defiled : the temple itself 
destroyed : the city laid in ruins : and its wicked 
inhabitants either put to the sword, or carried 
into slavery. 



TWENTY-FOURTH AFTER PENTECOST. 371 

The children of Israel had been the special 
favorites of the Almighty. He had blessed them 
above all other nations of the earth. He had 
replenished them with many special graces. He 
had chosen them to be his privileged people, and 
he had declared to the world, that he was their 
Lord, and their God. 

If we inquire into the cause which led to the 
destruction of this once highly favored people, 
the holy writers will inform us, that they were 
a stiff-necked, and perverse generation: who 
wilfully and incessantly disobeyed the Almighty. 
They had frequently rejected, and murdered his 
Prophets. They despised, insulted, and with 
savage ferocity had crucified upon an ignominious 
cross, the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. 
They had invoked heaven, that his blood might 
be upon them, and upon their children ! 

In the ruin of the Jewish nation, we behold 
a dreadful vial of divine wrath, poured upon an 
obstinate and a wicked people. The same rule 
which the justice of God observes towards na- 
tions, is also followed with regard to individuals. 
To wilful and obstinate sinners; to those who 
despise his mercy, who reject his invitation to 
repent, who persevere in the violation of his holy 
commandments; to these, the Almighty an- 
nounces the destruction that will come upon 
them. Now is the time in which all sinners are 



372 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

sweetly invited to participate in the mercy of 
God. The day of Justice, that great and bitter 
day, will also arrive, when the Almighty will 
speak in the wrath of thunder to the impenitent 
sinner. Oh ! that men were wise, that they 
would provide for their last end, that they 
would consider what a dreadful thing it is to fall 
into the hands of the living God ! 

On the Day of the Lord, what excessive 
tribulation will surround every sinner ! In the 
hour of death, the body will be tormented with 
agony at its approaching dissolution ! But the 
soul, oh! how intense the anguish arising from 
the reproaches of a guilty conscience ? Having a 
perfect knowledge of good and evil, then it is, that 
the burden of sin becomes insupportable : when 
the unfortunate sinner who had resisted the in- 
spirations of God, who had rejected the repeated 
admonitions of his servants, when apprised that 
his mortal career is nearly terminated, what 
trouble, what anxiety, what horror penetrates his 
soul ! If he reviews his past life, he beholds it 
consumed in the perpetration of innumerable sins, 
the enormity of which, with the suggestions of 
the devil, tempt him to despair. Whatever he 
had heard of death, judgment, hell, or heaven, 
present new torments to his afflicted mind. 
Alas ! this is that dreadful day : this is that terri- 
ble desolation which will overtake impenitent 



TWENTY-FOURTH AFTER PENTECOST. 373 

sinners. Is a priest sent to prepare him for death 
and judgment, what consolation can the minister 
of religion impart to one, who has during his life 
derided the sacred order, despised their salutary 
admonitions, and contemptuously rejected the 
truths of religion? The priest may, (without 
doubt he will), exhort him to acts of contrition 
for his sins, and to confess them. Alas ! unhappy 
creature, acts of devotion are altogether unknown 
to him : he knows not how : he is unable to raise 
his heart to God : it has been too eagerly engaged 
in the things of the world. The priest shows him 
a crucifix, he entreats him to place his entire con- 
fidence in the merits of the passion and death of 
our Savior : but the poor sinner has never lived 
as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and what confidence 
can he then have, whilst surrounded with all the 
horrors of a guilty conscience. It would be happy 
for such, did they make a proper use even of the 
time that yet remains : but alas ! the anguish and 
terror that then afflict them, cause them to despair. 
In this state the sinner dies : he departs in a 
manner the most unhappy : because a retrospect 
of his past life can give him no consolation, and 
in the future he beholds but a miserable eternity. 
This should not discourage the dying sinner ; for 
whilst it exhibits to his view, the extreme folly of 
dying in enmity with the Almighty, he has de- 
clared by his Prophet, that in whatever hour a 



374 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAYS. 

sinner shall be converted, he shall save his soul, 
and live: yet, the Redeemer told the obstinate 
Jews, that they should seek him, and should not 
find him, and that they should die in their sins. 
Has not every sinner reason to apprehend that 
this may be his case ? that whilst deferring his 
conversion, he may neither have the time, nor the 
dispositions to perform it effectually ? 

Happy those, who make a holy use of the 
favorable opportunities which are granted them 
to prepare for death : to these, the approach of 
their last hour, and the coming of Christ, is a 
subject of inexpressible exultation: their hope 
is laid up, that they will receive the recompense 
of a virtuous life, and that they will be mercifully 
delivered from the anguish which will overwhelm 
the obstinate and impenitent sinner at the moment 
of death, and in the day of judgment. 

PRAYER. 

Merciful Redeemer ! grant that these impor- 
tant truths may make a salutary impression 
upon our hearts, that we may assiduously provide 
for our departure from this world, and that we 
may find mercy at thy hands when thou shalt 
come to exercise judgment and justice upon man- 
kind. O, dear Lord! let us die the death of 
the just, and let our last end be like unto theirs ! 



TWENTY-FOURTH AFTER PENTECOST. 375 

Forgive our manifold offences, and for the time 
yet to come, let us dread nothing so much as to 
offend thee. Enter not, O Lord ! into judgment 
with thy servant; for no man living shall be 
justified in thy sight: enable us by thy divine 
grace to judge ourselves by a daily examination ; 
that we may avoid every occasion of sin ; make 
all the atonement in our power; and, in the 
spirit of a contrite and humble heart, hope to 
hear from thee at our last moment, this consoling 
sentence, Enter into the joy of thy Lord. 



^ort gjngtroctfong tot lent 



In " The Regulations for Lent," Rt. Rev. Bishop Shanahan 
has recommended this book for study during Lent. 

We regret that this volume of Short Instructions for Lent 
did not reach us earlier in the season so that our readers 
among the clergy and the Catholic sisterhoods could have had 
a copy of it by them during the Lenten season. It is in many 
ways the best book of its kind that we have seen. Three- 
quarters of a century have passed since the first edition was 
exhausted, and for some mysterious reason it has never been 
reprinted. The present editor, the Rev. Father Conklin, 
is deserving of great credit for discerning its real value and 
giving it a new lease of life. 

What pleases us most in this series of meditations is the 
solidity of doctrine and the naturalness of the moral applica- 
tions. In too many of our meditation books, sentiment takes 
the place of doctrine, and the piety which results therefrom 
is one of smiles and tears, a form of piety seldom profitable 
to the Christian soul. 

To those of our readers who are not familiar with the in- 
timate relationship that should exist between doctrine and 
piety, we can do no better than to send them to the pages of 
this well-printed volume. In language whose simplicity is 
closely akin to that of Holy Writ, the author of these medi- 
dations analyzes the Gospels that are read daily in the Missal 
during the forty days of Lent, and presents to the devout 
soul innumerable thoughts to stimulate the will and under- 
standing to higher endeavors in the pursuit of Christian 
virtue. 

1 



We must compliment the Christian Press on the excellent 
character of this volume. The low price at which it sells its 
books shows us that at last we have in our country a Catholic 
publishing house which does not seek to make fabulous profits 
on its publications. — Rt. Rev. Bishop Delaney in The Guidon. 

These " Short Instructions for Lent " bring vividly before 
all minds, particularly those which have allowed themselves 
to become inattentive, the obligations which the earnest Chris- 
tian owes to God and his religion. For each weekday during 
the Lenten season an instruction is given, preceded by the 
Gospel of that day's Mass, from which the lessons are drawn, 
and followed by a prayer. Each instruction and each prayer 
bears the impress of a devout mind. They are sober and 
practical and free from that emotionalism and lack of restraint 
in words which are often noticeable in books of a like char- 
acter. To both priests and people this volume will be in 
many ways acceptable. The priest will find in it hints for 
sermons. Religious and others who make daily meditations 
may use it as a help in mental prayer. For, as the editor 
points out in his preface, with very little effort the instructions 
may be divided into at least two points, and the prayer which 
is found at the end of each instruction would serve as a 
spiritual bouquet which might be called to mind from time to 
time during the day. The fact that the instructions are 
drawn directly from the Gospel and in many parts are largely 
made up of quotations from the inspired narratives, lends to 
them that sweetness and simplicity invariably found in devo- 
tional writings that hold closely to the words and spirit of the 
Evangelists. — American Ecclesiastical Review* 

" Meditations for Every Day in Lent," is the title of a book 
just published, which is receiving much commendation, and 
the authorship of which is accredited to the Rev. William 
Conklin, associate rector of the Church of St. Mary, in Long 
Island City. This little book which is most appropriate for 
both the clergy and laity, is highly commended by the various 
critics of the diocese. — Brooklyn Eagle, 

2 



" instructions and Meditations on the Gospel for Each Day 
in Lent," edited by the Rev. William T. Conklin. A book 
suggestive to the young preacher and valuable to the pious 
Christian who remembers that during Lent, he must not only 
mortify his flesh according to his condition, but that he must 
pray more and reflect more than at other times on spiritual 
things. In this book, he will familiarize himself with the 
Word of God and with approved explanations and eminently 
practical applications of it. — Catholic Standard and Times. 

SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR LENT. 

This is the title of a book which has just been issued by 
the Christian Press Publishing Co., and which seems to be 
destined to fill a long-felt want, not only amongst the Clergy 
and Religious, but even for the Laity. It contains the Gospel 
for each day in Lent, followed by a short instruction and 
prayer. The instructions, though short, are solid and full of 
doctrine, and the prayers, though unlike these found in the 
prayer book, or even the ordinary book of devotion, show the 
workings of a very devout mind, and will serve as models for 
the petitions which all are inclined to send to the throne of 
the Most High from time to time, for they show us how to 
address the Almighty in a personal way, and to make known 
our wants to Him as they are known to ourselves. If the 
book served no other good purpose, it would still prove a 
most welcomed friend to most of us. 

Priests and others will find the instructions in this book 
will serve as excellent meditations, and many who find them- 
selves unable to assist at the regular Lenten sermons in the 
Church, will find this book almost invaluable. — Freeman's 
Journal. 



The " Short Instructions for Lent " contains 3T2 pages and 
is neatly bound in cloth. 

Price Postpaid 83 Cents. 

3 



JUN.26 ^80b 






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